By Anthony Lin
One of 14 children and a member of the Angolan National Team in the 2006 FIBA World Basketball Championships, former Stony Brook Seawolves center Emanuel Neto has made quite the impact on and off the court at Stony Brook University.
However, the past season for Neto on the court was not without distraction. Neto’s mother, Fatima Domingos da Silva, was ill for quite some time and sadly passed away from kidney disease.
“He’s always so enthusiastic,” stated Seawolves head coach Steve Pikiell. “Everyone in Stony Brook loves him.”
Majoring in Multidisciplinary Studies, the 6’ 9” center is adjusting to life in the United States.
“Life is very different here,” stated Neto. “Back home [Angola] there is no running water, you do not have gas, and there is no electricity every day. Society is very different. Here, the school is big in diversity.”
With Stony Brook’s short history in Division I of the NCAA, Neto had a leading role in the 2006-2007 season helping the Seawolves win more than double the amount than the previous 2005-2006 season. Neto led the 2006-2007 Seawolves in rebounds (5.5 per game) and blocks (17) after transferring from San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas.
“He’s a rebounder and he blocks shots,” stated Pikiell. “He guarded Dirk Nowitzki in the 2006 World Basketball Championships in Japan.”
Despite only being in Stony Brook for two years, Neto has certainly had his memorable moments as a Seawolf. In the 2006-2007 season, Stony Brook earned perhaps the biggest victory in the program’s history with a victory over Penn State, one of the Big Ten.
“At Penn State, it was different,” said Neto. “The odds of winning that game were so small. It was just one of the biggest wins in school history. Mitchell Beauford, Mike Popoko, Ricky Lucas, and I were all just focused that game, as the coaches directed us through the whole game.”
As for the 2007-2008 season, the Seawolves lost by a close margin of 10 on the road against the highly renowned Kentucky Wildcats. Leading the team with 12 rebounds, Neto was able to create a stir even from the fans of the Wildcats.
“I got three or four e-mails from Kentucky fans saying, ‘I know you didn’t win the game, but I love #50 (Neto). He played with heart.’” mentioned Pikiell.
Aside from basketball, the former Stony Brook center plays a number of sports. Attending Colegio Henriques, Neto played soccer and volleyball before getting into basketball.
“Volleyball helped me improve the most because it helped improve my jumping ability,” said Neto. “Soccer helped me have quick feet and it also helped with my lower body.” With soccer being the common sport in Angola, Neto had a late start when it came to playing basketball.
“I was not playing basketball until around the age of 17-18,” said Neto. “I never really had an interest in basketball. I was around 17 when I finally played once and liked it. So I started practicing. There were a couple of players in my neighborhood. I also had a cousin who played for a team back home.”
On the Stony Brook campus, Neto can be found actively and vocally supporting the Seawolves at various athletic events. “In Stony Brook, I am very vocal at the games because not enough people do it,” mentioned Neto. “In Angola, people at soccer games go crazy and insane. I just wanted to carry the spirit and cheer for our teams.”
With the past season being his senior year, Neto’s departure will be a heavy loss for Stony Brook.
“I wish I had him for four years,” replied Pikiell. “He certainly has started this year off on the right track. I wish I had a team of Emanuels.”
“I want the team to have a winning season,” replied Neto. “The coaches, the team, and the school deserve it. Some of the guys on the team have been here for awhile and they have never had a winning season. I want them to know how it is to have a winning season.”
While his basketball career may be over at Stony Brook, Neto is again expected to be a part of the Angolan National Team, this time in the 2008 Summer Olympics. Angola has been drawn in Group B, which includes the United States, along with Olympic host, China.
The Stony Brook Press
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Congratulations to the Stony Brook Press on their success and years of Student Journalism. I was involved in the papers photography space from 1979 to 1981 and never would have imagined that this is were it would be today. Obviously since I graduated in 1981 the Press has been guided by steady hands and leadership. I fondly remember the early years with Chris Fairhall, Eric Brand, Melissa Spielman, Scott Highman, Jeff Zolden, Prarkish Mishra and my photography mentor of sorts Dana Brussel.
It was a lot of work back than in late 1970′s early 80′s in the photography dark rooms on campus. We had to borrow space in the Student Union dark room and a Student Organization dark room in the bowels of Benedict College. We had no equipment or budget to speak of, many a time I had to use my own paper to develop black and white prints for the weeks production.
But it was fun and well worth it, I’ll never forget going to Hofstra University in 1980 for the Jimmy Carter Presidential Campaign rally. I actually spoke to Carter who said he’d like a copy of the picture I had just taken of him drinking a glass of water in front of a huge American flag that was used as the back drop for the stage he gave his campaign speech on. He said “hey young man send me a copy of the picture OK”, I responded it “we’ll have to charge you for that Mr. President”. Carter responded to me, “heck the New York Times wouldn’t even charge me for a photo request”. I proudly responded, “the Stony Brook Press is a better newspaper than the Times”. Carter being the good sport he was responded, “you got a point there” and than went on about his business.
Even though I sold out and joined the ranks of Wall Street after 1981, I enjoyed my Stony Brook Press experience. I was enriched by it and I know you will be too.