By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Giving back, returning to Portugal, and more for Neemias Queta during the offseason.
After becoming the first Portuguese NBA champion and re-signing with the Boston Celtics, Queta organized the inaugural Neemias Queta Training Camp at Quinta dos Lombos Pavilion.
The 25-year-old center was the 39th overall pick of the 2021 NBA draft after three NCAA seasons with Utah State from 2018 to 2021. Before moving his talents to the Aggies, he joined Benfica in 2017 and played in two games of Portugal’s top-flight division during the 2017-18 season.
“It was a very good year for me,” he mentioned in an interview published on Jornal O Benfica and shared by Benfica on Friday, “I was very impressed with Benfica. The conditions were excellent. I worked hard that year, individually, and with the reserve and senior team. It was very tough, having to combine school and basketball, but I understood how to deal with everything in the best way. I gained more confidence, gave interviews, and started to have a lot of fans at games. It was a gradual growth that helped me get where I am today.”
Besides aiding in the development leading Queta to the best league in the world, Benfica went on to win Liga Betlic in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Besides upping the total of domestic league championships to 30 over the last three years, the team coached by Norberto Alves also advanced to the Regular Season of the Basketball Champions League, surviving the Qualification Rounds of 2022 and 2023, and is looking for three successful bids in a row. The next Qualifiers will be hosted in Antalya between September 17 and 21.
“Enjoy the moment”
After two seasons with the Sacramento Kings, Queta moved to the Celtics last season.
Contributing to the NBA championship run, he tallied 5.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.7 blocks, 0.6 assists, and 0.4 blocks per contest over 31 appearances between the Regular Season and the Playoffs. With the Maine Celtics in the G League, he added 14.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.9 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game over 24 appearances.
“Above all, I must enjoy the moment. I still have a long way to go, but doors never close,” he described his current status with the C’s.
Before focusing on the next NBA campaign, he was eager to allocate basketball teachings and experience with 40 youngsters aged 13 to 17 attending the training camp.
Photo Credit: Getty Images