Boston Celtics fans have gotten a rare dose of excitement for mid-August over the past week or so. The team’s starting center, Neemias Queta, has been balling out for his native Portugal during the nation’s exhibition slate ahead of EuroBasket.
The big man has posted efficient stat lines in each of his four appearances thus far, averaging 13.3 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting a total 20-26 from the field. Europe has become a far more competitive basketball landscape than it's been in the past. So though Queta isn’t necessarily playing against teams full of top-NBA-level players, there’s still plenty of talented guys out there.
EuroBasket is full of elite players like former Celtic Kristaps Porzingis (Latvia), Nikola Jokic (Serbia), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece), Luka Doncic (Slovenia), and Franz Wagner (Germany), who are expected to play in this year's tournament.
Queta will look to lead Portugal to a deep run in EuroBasket starting next week, when the group stage tips off on Aug. 27. The tournament begins with four groups of six, with the top four teams in each pool moving onto a knockout stage. The 16-team elimination bracket runs from Sept. 6 through Sept. 17.
EuroBasket could be a launching point for Neemias Queta ahead of career-defining year with the Celtics
If he carries over his strong production from these exhibition games into the real tournament, then it could bode well for Portugal. Celtics fans will have similar hopes for a strong performance in the competition carrying over and giving him momentum heading into what’s going to be an important season for the big man.
Again, Queta is expected to be the starter in Boston next season as Porzingis, Luke Kornet, and presumably Al Horford will all be suiting up for new teams. The added responsibility will be a big change for the 26-year-old, who was third or fourth in the Celtics’ depth chart, depending on the health of others, last season.
Still, Queta appeared in 62 games for the Cs in 2024-25 -- by far the most of his NBA career. It’s clear that he’s made strides in terms of improvement since joining the Celtics in the summer of 2023. The question now is, “How many more strides does Queta have left in him?”
He’s well aware of the opportunity in front of him and hopes to make the most of it.
“Obviously, I think it's making sure I get in great shape,” he told CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning when asked about his points of emphasis in the upcoming campaign. “Go out there and make elite decisions with the ball in my hands and making sure I get great finishes this year. I also want to like raise up my free throw attempts this year. Just want to be aggressive and make sure I get my percentage up on the free-throw line, too.”