How did Bronco men’s basketball coaches discover an “OKG” (Our Kind of Guy) in Angola?
Meet Aginaldo Neto, grateful for all he has and ready to embrace new opportunities.
Suzanne Lavender
Six months ago, Bronco men’s basketball associate head coach Mike Burns was interviewed on the Bronco Nation News podcast to share details about a new signee from Angola, Aginaldo (AG) Neto. In his description of Neto, Burns referenced a term familiar to seasoned Boise State fans, he’s an OKG (Our Kind of Guy). The phrase became synonymous with Boise State Athletics via former football head coach Chris Petersen, who took the off-field development of his players very seriously. His recruits, called OKGs, were student-athletes that have great talent and incredible character.
Bronco coaches were so intrigued by Neto, whose scouting report included: raw talent, good fundamentals, and a mature demeanor beyond his years, that Coach Burns traveled to Johannesburg, South Africa to watch AG play as a member of the Angolan national basketball team in the 2022 FIBA Africa's U-18s tournament. FIBA is the international governing body for basketball, overseeing the sport globally, organizing major competitions, and setting the rules for the game.
It was a great opportunity to see him in person, watch him play with the national team, and spend some time with him. We also wanted to impress upon him how much we wanted him (to play at Boise State), enough that we were willing to fly across the world to show it. Beyond being a tremendous player, he’s an even better young man with a story that inspires us and the people across the continent.Bronco men’s basketball associate head coach Mike Burns
Driven to Prepare for the Future
AG is the youngest of four children, that includes one sister and two brothers, born to businessman Manuel and Teresa Neto. The family calls Kilamba home, a community of 80,000 people, located about 20 miles south of Luanda, Angola’s capital of 2.8 million residents.
There were high expectations growing up in the Neto household around education, preparing for the future, taking advantage of every opportunity, and a quest to ‘be better’ or ‘exceed the success of their parents’.
For AG, character traits were starting to bubble at an early age like curiosity, confidence, and positive energy. These traits would set the stage for a very unique and impactful adolescence.
I could always feel and see light in him because of this energy he gave off. That’s why I always knew my son would be where he is today.AG’s mom, Teresa
Kilamba Street Ball to NBA Academy Africa
Like many communities in Angola, there are cement athletic courts in town. In Kilamba there are just two, one designated for football (American soccer) and one for basketball. AG and his brothers played football until he turned 10, then he picked up a basketball and launched his own game plan.
“I saw some street (basketball) players and I liked the game,” said Neto. “When the game ended, I went to the head coach of the team and told him that I wanted to learn basketball.”
In the video feature Born & Bred, produced by NBA Africa, AG and his brother Julio share how they approached Coach Julio Sebastiao at the Kilamba Basketball Academy.
Neto’s ability on the court took a rapid rise.
“By 11 years old, he was already playing in national tournaments where we ended in third place,” said coach Sebastiao. “After that, we won the National Championship in his second and third year of playing basketball. So Aginaldo is truly special.”
In 2018, after winning a championship in his first Jr. NBA tournament, Neto knew he needed a new challenge.
“When I turned 16, after we won the championship in Angola, I realized I needed to step up (and pursue a higher level of competition),” said Neto. “So, I went to the NBA Academy Africa in Senegal.”
Future Linguist and Seasoned Traveler
During his time in Senegal, the native Portuguese speaker would challenge himself to learn as many languages as he could from fellow teammates.
“I have always been passionate about learning new languages, especially the most important languages in the world—English, French, and Spanish. If you speak those three languages, you can go anywhere,” said Neto. “Every day I would ask them, how do you say this, or how do you say that?”
In addition to learning languages, NBA Academy Africa would also open a window to travel across Europe and to the United States, including to Atlanta, where he first met coaches from Boise State.
In September 2024, Neto moved to Phoenix, Arizona to attend Bella Vista College Prep.
Bella Vista College Prep is a forward-thinking private school that blends rigorous academics with real-world experience. Students engage in hands-on learning, gain professional insight through internships, and explore modern social media applications as part of an innovative curriculum. Home to a world-class basketball academy, Bella Vista develops elite athletes through top-tier coaching and national competition. This unique blend of education, athletics, and global exposure prepares students to thrive in today’s competitive and connected world.
Why Boise State?
When asked why he selected Boise State, Neto shared.
“After Coach Burnie (Burns, associate head coach) flew all the way to South Africa to watch me play, I then came for my visit (to Boise State) and realized, I belong here with this staff. But when he flew there (South Africa) to watch me play, that convinced me, they really wanted me, and I knew I needed to go here.”
Adapting to College Life
“In his young life, he's been through a lot and traveled extensively,” said Burns. “He’s had to adapt, even in uncomfortable circumstances, and he's done it pretty well. All he does is wake up, go to school, go to the gym, lift, go back to the gym, then he goes to bed. He has a very regimented plan. A kid like him could do a lot of things, run around and have a lot of fun, but he's really focused. He will acclimate quickly.”
On the court, Neto has had the opportunity to learn from seasoned point guard Dylan Andrews.
“Dylan's done a great job with him, been a great mentor, and shown him the ropes,” said Burns. “But what's been equally impressive about AG is how open and appreciative he’s been. He’s just consumed everything that Dylan's had to give him. So, it's been really good.”
Following a practice in mid-November, Boise State basketball head coach Leon Rice reflected on Neto fitting in with the team.
“He just gets better,” said Rice. “He is so coachable, he’s an everyday guy, he’s the total package, and he does everything at the highest level. Those kinds of people just continue to grow. That’s why he is going to be a terrific success here because of the way he approaches things every single day in everything he does. The way he prepares and the way he goes to school, we hit a home run with that kid.”
As for Neto and his approach to Division I basketball?
“It's fun," said Neto. "I step on the court and I'm grateful. I'm going to have fun, never complaining, even if I have a bad game, bad practice. If the coaches say, ‘you are not doing the right thing, you need to do this,’ I'm never going to be mad. I'm going to listen, process the information, apply it and do it. I'm just grateful for the moment. A lot of kids back home don't have this opportunity. I don't have time for all that negativity.”
Academics and Beyond
Neto is also embracing his academic schedule. He is a business major, and this semester’s classes include all the basics: Business, English, Engineering, and Mathematics.
“I'm really enjoying it (going to class),” said Neto. “My schedule is flexible. I go to class, have a little time to rest, go to practice, rest a little bit more, and then, go to another class.”
Alongside his coursework, Neto is taking full advantage of the opportunities and resources available to him as a student-athlete, including BroncoLife programming.
“Over the months, we’ve had many small conversations, and he’s consistently engaged, attentive, curious, and eager to learn,” said Kelli Nooney, Assistant Athletic Director, Student-Athlete Development. “He seeks out and commits to every opportunity; on and off the court. As an international student-athlete, he has woven himself into the fabric of Boise State Athletics remarkably fast. The future is bright for him.”
BroncoLife is a student-athlete development program designed to champion personal growth, foster a strong sense of belonging, and accelerate progress toward professional goals. The program achieves these priorities through dedicated one-on-one conversations, curriculum-driven workshops, and engaging group events.
“A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending BroncoLife Etiquette Dinner where I met several impressive students, including a young man who confidently introduced himself as AG Neto," said Mary Toy, member of Varsity B, the official letter winner's organization of Boise State Athletics. "AG immediately stood out, not just because he was the first to introduce himself, but because he engaged in meaningful conversation with ease and was so posed. That’s not always an easy thing to do.
Throughout the evening, I learned AG is driven, focused, and open to new experiences. He is kind, values family, embraces different cultures, and isn’t shy about trying any food. His competitive spirit and leadership will serve him well, and I’m positive he’ll succeed both on the court and in the classroom. AG left home to pursue basketball and earn his degree, but what struck me most is that he’s truly pursuing life and seizing every opportunity along the way. He is one to watch.”
“Attending the freshman etiquette dinner was more about the experience and being able to get to know donors and alumni. As we grow and our careers develop, we will be put in that position many times and we need to get used to that environment. You never want to be in a new situation or feel unprepared, and Boise State is preparing us (Bronco student-athletes) for the future.AG Neto on attending the BroncoLife etiquette dinner
When asked where his confidence and gratefulness developed?
“I took it from my mom because she always taught me how to be grateful for everything that I have,” said Neto. “We never had a lot back home, so I just want to be grateful and happy for every opportunity I have every single day.”
Neto is special…and checks every box for an OKG.
