Neemias Queta believes he is ready to elevate his NBA role after a summer spent rehabbing, training, and leading Portugal at EuroBasket 2025.
Speaking with Eurohoops, the Boston Celtics center said his offseason reset positioned him for growth. “I think I got all the tools to go out there and compete with the best,” Queta said, via HoopsHype.
The 26-year-old underwent surgery earlier this year and used the recovery period to sharpen details in his game. He stressed that being prepared for the 82-game schedule would be essential.
Queta backed up his words with a strong international showing, averaging 15.5 points, 8 rebounds, and shooting 61.5 percent from inside the arc across six EuroBasket games. He capped his run with 18 points and 11 boards in Portugal’s Round of 16 loss to Germany.
Portugal briefly challenged the reigning world champions, even holding a halftime lead, before Germany surged late for an 85-58 win. Queta acknowledged the difficulty of facing a roster stacked with length and talent. “They’re the world champions for a reason,” he said. “We’re not intimidated by Germany or anybody here in this tournament.”
Despite the elimination, the national team’s run marked Portugal’s first Round of 16 appearance since 2007. For Queta, the event offered a chance to showcase his interior presence against elite competition.
With Boston, Queta has carved out a steady rotation role over the past two seasons. In 2024-25, he appeared in 62 games, averaging 5.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and shooting 65 percent from the field.
