Lebron Nieto commits to Ateneo men's basketball program

Lebron Nieto is set to follow in his brothers' footsteps as the Ateneo de Manila high school standout formally committed to the Blue Eagles men's basketball program in the collegiate ranks.

Lebron, the younger brother of Matt and Mike Nieto, averaged 16.46 points, 4.85 rebounds, 4.69 assists, and 2.85 steals per contest in his senior year in the high school division. He was ranked the no. 12 prospect in the NBTC 24 rankings.

"Growing up, I always watched my brothers play for the Blue and White in the UAAP, so it was a big dream of mine to play and win for Ateneo as well," Lebron said.

He will be the fifth Nieto to play for Ateneo after his father Jet, who played for Ateneo in UAAP Season 50 and 51, his two brothers, and sister Shawntel, who was a member of the Ateneo women's badminton varsity that notched back-to-back titles in Seasons 75 and 76.

Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin was happy to welcome Nieto into the fold.

"We are really pleased to bring Lebron into the team and obviously, he comes from a great pedigree with older brothers Matt and Mike being great servants to our program and done such a great job and now, they have moved on to the pros," said Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin.

"Just the fact that we have another Nieto in the squad is exciting for all the coaches and he has done a great job in training so far."

Lebron is the latest addition to the Blue Eagles' recruitment class, which includes Gilas Pilipinas youth players Mason Amos and Kyle Gamber, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu's Raffy Celis and Michael Asoro, and UPIS standout Kobe Demisana.

He will be eligible to play in UAAP Season 86.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News