Neemias Queta is the frontrunner to be the Boston Celtics' starting center this season. The 26-year-old from Lisbon, Portugal, is coming off an impressive showing at EuroBasket. Going head-to-head with the likes of Nikola Jokic, Alperen Sengun, and Kristaps Porzingis was an ideal way for him to prepare for that opportunity.
In an appearance on Celtics Insiders, Queta told host Marc D'Amico about another significant aspect of his offseason preparation: his work in the weight room.
Neemias Queta on his work in the weight room this offseason:
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) October 3, 2025
"We've been able to attack some of my weaknesses and get stronger in those."
"I'm able to control my body a lot better. I'm able to stay in front of guys. Able to maintain positioning without losing control of my… https://t.co/wR30zZ3ZR2 pic.twitter.com/W1FAESoEKf
"We've been able to attack some of my weaknesses and get stronger in those," shared Queta. "I'm able to control my body a lot better. I'm able to stay in front of guys. Able to maintain positioning without losing control of my arms. So, things like that go a long way, and I feel like it'll show this year."
Neemias Queta doesn't care who starts
While the fourth-year veteran is most likely to begin the season in Boston's first unit, whether he starts or comes off the bench doesn't appear to be something he is concerned about.
"I'm not really thinking about that right now," Queta told D'Amico. "It's going to be a long year. I might start a couple [of] games; X [Xavier Tillman Sr.] might start a couple [of] games. Chris [Boucher] might start, Luka [Garza], Amari [Williams], we've got a bunch of options. And at the end of the day, what matters is winning. In Boston, nobody really remembers individual players; they remember teams."
Queta's understanding that it's wiser to focus on striving to become the best version of himself, rather than on whether he'll start or come off the bench, is a mature approach.
Operating with the mindset that it's teams, not individuals, who get remembered, prioritizes what's best for the collective. However, Celtics fans have an affinity for most who wear that uniform.
From franchise stars like Paul Pierce to role players like Kenny Anderson and Avery Bradley, Gerald Green, Dino Radja, Dana Barros, Evan Turner, and a point-guard turned coach in Phil Pressey, fans care about and feel fondly toward those who join the franchise. It's a sentiment that typically doesn't change after their departure or careers conclude.
Queta, a member of Boston's 2023-24 title team and the NBA's first player from Portugal, is already in that category. But now he has a golden opportunity to take his game to new heights, strengthening the bond between him and the Celtics' fan base in the process.