Boston Celtics Fans Should Be Excited as Neemias Queta Delivers Historic EuroBasket Performance With 18 Rebounds in Portugal’s First Win
Boston Celtics fans, are you watching? Neemias Queta has just delivered a performance that will have the city of Boston buzzing with excitement and anticipation. The Portuguese big man, who is making his presence felt on the international stage at EuroBasket, turned in a masterpiece that not only put him in the history books but also put his country back on the map in international basketball. With 23 points, 18 rebounds, four blocks, 11-of-15 shooting from the field, and a mind-boggling 39 efficiency rating, Queta tied the seventh-best rebounding performance in EuroBasket history and led Portugal to its first win in 18 years at the prestigious competition. For Celtics fans looking toward the future of the team’s frontcourt, the message is clear: Neemias Queta is showing that he has the potential to be the starting center of tomorrow.
The significance of Queta’s performance goes well beyond the stat sheet. For Portugal, a country with a relatively small basketball footprint compared to European powerhouses like Spain, France, or Serbia, a victory of this magnitude means much more than just one in the win column. It represents a turning point, a symbolic shift that basketball in Portugal is capable of competing with the best. And for Queta, the face of Portuguese basketball, the burden of carrying that dream was not only accepted but embraced. The former Utah State standout and current Celtics reserve played with confidence, resilience, and dominance, proving why Boston took a chance on him and why patience may soon pay off.
When Celtics fans reflect on their franchise history, they see a long line of legendary centers and frontcourt anchors—from Bill Russell to Dave Cowens to Robert Parish and Kevin Garnett. While Neemias Queta may not yet be in that conversation, his performance in EuroBasket raises intriguing questions about whether he could grow into a cornerstone piece in Boston’s evolving roster. The Celtics have built their identity around Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and a tough, defense-first culture. With Al Horford continuing to age and Kristaps Porziņģis struggling at times to stay healthy, the path for Queta to carve out a significant role is opening wider. What he showed on the EuroBasket stage is that he has the tools—rebounding instincts, rim protection, touch around the basket, and physical presence—to be more than just a rotation piece. He might very well be the kind of impact big that championship rosters rely on when the stakes are highest.
The most remarkable part of Queta’s EuroBasket performance is the sheer willpower behind it. He wasn’t simply filling in the gaps or being a complementary piece—he dominated. Snatching 18 rebounds against seasoned European competition, he established control of the paint and dictated the tempo of the game on both ends. It wasn’t just raw numbers, but the timing of his boards, the way he altered shots, and the overall intimidation factor he brought to the floor. The Celtics have seen glimpses of this version of Queta in limited NBA minutes, but now the rest of the world is getting a taste of what he can do when unleashed.
For Celtics fans, the timing of this performance couldn’t be better. Coming off a championship season, Boston is reloading for another deep playoff run, but the long-term future of their frontcourt remains a topic of conversation. Horford’s minutes must be carefully managed, and Porziņģis, while brilliant when healthy, has an injury history that keeps fans holding their breath. Insert Queta, a 7-footer with the frame, athleticism, and improving skill set to potentially be a future starting center. His EuroBasket dominance isn’t a fluke; it’s the product of consistent development, patience, and hunger to prove he belongs among the elite.
Queta’s journey is one of perseverance. Drafted in 2021 by the Sacramento Kings, he spent much of his early career moving between the NBA and G League, fighting for opportunities to show his worth. When the Celtics picked him up, it was a fresh chance—a chance to learn within a winning culture, surrounded by veterans who know what it takes to compete at the highest level. In Boston, Queta has worked quietly, staying ready, waiting for his moments, and absorbing the demands of a team with championship aspirations. EuroBasket gave him the platform to showcase all that hard work on a global stage, and he did not disappoint.
One of the standout aspects of his 23-point, 18-rebound, four-block performance is his efficiency. Shooting 11-of-15 from the field, Queta displayed the kind of touch and patience that big men need to thrive in today’s game. He wasn’t forcing shots, he was taking smart looks, and he was finishing with authority. Combined with his defensive awareness and shot-blocking instincts, the package is compelling. Celtics fans have been yearning for a big who can control the paint on both ends, and Queta’s game offers a preview of exactly that.
Portugal’s 18-year wait for a EuroBasket win only amplifies the historical nature of this achievement. For nearly two decades, Portuguese basketball had been on the outside looking in, unable to break through. Now, led by Queta, the nation has a hero who can carry the sport to new heights. For him, this isn’t just about personal glory—it’s about inspiring the next generation of Portuguese players, proving that with dedication and belief, they too can shine on the biggest stages. In the same way Dirk Nowitzki elevated Germany, Giannis Antetokounmpo lifted Greece’s profile, and Luka Dončić redefined Slovenia’s basketball identity, Queta is carving out that path for Portugal.
For Boston, though, the takeaway is more immediate. The Celtics don’t need Queta to be a superstar today. What they need is development, depth, and a reliable presence who can step into bigger minutes when the time comes. And Queta, with his relentless rebounding, defensive timing, and growing confidence, is showing signs that he could fill that role sooner rather than later. Fans in Boston who may have overlooked him on the roster sheet might now want to pay closer attention, because performances like this don’t happen by accident—they’re signs of growth, of readiness, of a player on the verge of breaking out.
Looking forward, the Celtics’ ability to manage their roster hinges on players like Queta taking steps forward. With the financial commitments tied up in stars like Tatum and Brown, Boston will need value contributions from younger players and developing talent. Queta represents exactly that kind of asset—a player with upside who is still on a manageable contract, giving Boston flexibility while also strengthening their core. And if he can translate even part of his EuroBasket dominance into NBA minutes, the Celtics’ future frontcourt may be in good hands.
For Queta personally, this performance is a reminder to the basketball world not to underestimate his ceiling. Too often, big men who don’t immediately explode onto the NBA scene get labeled as journeymen or forgotten altogether. But Queta’s path shows that development takes time, and that impact can come at different stages. His journey is about steady improvement, resilience, and seizing the moment when it arrives. EuroBasket gave him the platform, and he turned it into a statement that Boston should not ignore.
In Boston’s long and storied basketball history, players who rise from obscurity to deliver for the franchise have always been beloved. Neemias Queta may not yet be a household name in Boston, but if he continues on this trajectory, that could change quickly. His 23-point, 18-rebound, four-block performance isn’t just a EuroBasket highlight—it’s a glimpse into what the Celtics’ future might look like, and it’s a reason for fans to watch closely as his journey unfolds.
So, Celtics fans, are you watching? Because if you are, you just witnessed something special—a historic EuroBasket performance, Portugal’s first win in 18 years, and possibly the emergence of your future starting center. Neemias Queta isn’t just playing basketball—he’s announcing himself to the world, and Boston should be very, very excited.
