Neemias Queta

Neemias Esdras Barbosa Queta Bio

Neemias Esdras Barbosa Queta is a Portuguese professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association. Standing 7 feet tall, Queta was selected with the 39th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings, becoming the first Portuguese player ever drafted in NBA history. He made his NBA debut in December 2021 and became the first Portuguese player to play in and score points in an NBA game. Queta won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in the 2023-24 season. Known for his defensive prowess and rebounding ability, he has established himself as one of the premier rim protectors in the league and was recognized as the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year twice during his college career at Utah State.

Early Life and Background

Neemias Queta was born on July 13, 1999, in Lisbon, Portugal, to Bissau-Guinean parents Mica and Djaneuba Queta. His parents fled Guinea-Bissau during the civil war and relocated to Portugal, where they built a new life. His father worked as a businessman who frequently traveled throughout Europe for work, while his mother worked as a chef. Queta grew up in Vale da Amoreira, located in the municipality of Moita, Portugal. He comes from an athletic family as the cousin of Mateus Mane, a professional footballer who plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Queta began playing basketball at age 10 when he followed his older sister to a tryout at Barreirense. His early exposure to the sport came through youth basketball at the club, where he developed his foundational skills before eventually pursuing basketball professionally. His journey from youth player in a modest Portuguese town to NBA champion represents a remarkable trajectory in international basketball development.

Path to Professional Basketball

Queta began his professional basketball career in Portugal, playing for Barreirense from 2009 to 2017. He then moved to Benfica for the 2017-18 season, appearing in two professional games in the Portuguese Basketball League. On August 31, 2018, he parted ways with Benfica, which set the stage for his move to the United States. His impressive play at the youth international level, including performances at the FIBA U18 and U20 European Championships, helped him attract attention from American college programs.

On August 29, 2018, Queta signed to play college basketball for the Utah State Aggies. This decision marked a pivotal moment in his development, as he would transition from Portuguese professional basketball to competing in NCAA Division I. His three seasons at Utah State transformed him into a legitimate NBA prospect, showcasing his ability to dominate at both ends of the floor against high-level collegiate competition.

Neemias Queta Career

Early Career (2017–2018)

Queta began his professional basketball journey with Benfica during the 2017-18 season. He appeared in two professional games for the Portuguese Basketball League club before departing on August 31, 2018. While his stint was brief, playing against experienced professional players in Portugal provided valuable experience that prepared him for the challenges ahead in his basketball career.

College Career (2018–2021)

Queta joined the Utah State Aggies in November 2018 and made an immediate impact. In his debut on November 19, 2018, he recorded 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 blocks in a win over Saint Mary’s. As a freshman, he averaged 11.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game, earning Mountain West Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors. He set the program single-season record with 84 blocks and was named to the Second-team All-Mountain West. He initially declared for the 2019 NBA Draft before withdrawing to return to college.

His sophomore season was interrupted by a knee injury that caused him to miss the first nine games. Despite the setback, he returned to average 13 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game, repeating his Second-team All-Mountain West and All-Defensive Team selections. During his junior season in 2020-21, Queta elevated his play significantly. He posted a career-high 32 points against Boise State and recorded a school-record nine blocks in the Mountain West Tournament semifinals. For the season, he averaged 14.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.3 blocks, and 2.7 assists per game. He was named to the First-team All-Mountain West and Defensive Player of the Year for the second time, was one of four finalists for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award, and finished as Utah State’s all-time leader in blocks. He declared for the 2021 NBA Draft on March 29, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.

Sacramento Kings (2021–2023)

The Sacramento Kings selected Queta with the 39th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, making him the first Portuguese player ever selected in an NBA Draft. On August 8, 2021, he signed a two-way contract with Sacramento, splitting time between the NBA team and their G League affiliate, the Stockton Kings. The Kings won the NBA Summer League championship on August 17, 2021, with Queta contributing throughout the tournament.

Queta made his NBA debut on December 17, 2021, against the Memphis Grizzlies, recording five rebounds, one assist, and one block in 14 minutes of play. On January 11, 2022, he became the first Portuguese player to score points in the NBA, recording 11 points and 5 rebounds in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was named to the G League’s inaugural Next Up Game for the 2022-23 season and earned NBA G League All-Defensive Team honors. Despite limited starting opportunities with Sacramento, Queta received significant fan support for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game, accumulating over 88,000 votes. He signed a standard contract with Sacramento on August 8, 2023, but was waived less than a month later on September 12.

Boston Celtics (2023–Present)

On September 19, 2023, Queta signed a two-way contract with the Boston Celtics. He appeared in his first game with the team on November 26, contributing seven points and a personal record of 10 rebounds in a win over the Atlanta Hawks. He received the team’s Tommy Award, which recognizes players who excel defensively in ways not reflected in traditional statistics. On December 19, 2023, he recorded his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds against the Golden State Warriors, repeating the feat four days later against the Los Angeles Clippers with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

After a strong playoff performance with the Maine Celtics in the G League, where he recorded 16 points and 19 rebounds in the Eastern Conference Finals, Queta signed a standard contract with Boston on April 8, 2024. In the regular season finale on April 14, he scored 19 points with nine rebounds and six blocks in just 19 minutes against the Washington Wizards. He made his NBA playoff debut on May 7, 2024, and his NBA Finals debut on June 14, 2024. On June 17, 2024, Queta became an NBA champion when the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in five games. On July 6, 2024, he signed a three-year, $7.2 million contract with the Celtics.

On November 4, 2024, Queta made his first career NBA start, tallying 10 points and 7 rebounds in a win over the Atlanta Hawks, becoming the first Portuguese player to start an NBA game. Heading into the 2025-26 season, following the departures of Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet, Queta was named Boston’s starting center. On November 29, 2025, he scored 19 points with a career-high 18 rebounds, including 8 offensive boards, in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, becoming the first Celtic to record at least 19 points, 18 rebounds, and 2 blocks in a game since Robert Parish in 1989. On March 1, 2026, Queta recorded a career-high 27 points to go along with 17 rebounds and 3 blocks in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Driving Style and Strengths

Queta has established himself as one of the premier rim protectors and rebounding forces in professional basketball. His 7-foot frame combined with his instincts and timing make him a dominant presence in the paint at both ends of the floor. He possesses excellent shot-blocking ability and uses his size effectively to control the boards on both ends. His defensive impact often shows up in ways not captured by traditional statistics, as evidenced by his Tommy Award recognition. Offensively, he has shown continued improvement, particularly as a finisher around the basket and in pick-and-roll situations, while developing more confidence in his mid-range game.

Notable Events and Milestones

Queta’s career has been defined by historic firsts for Portuguese basketball. He became the first player from Portugal ever drafted in the NBA, the first to play in an NBA game, and the first to score points in an NBA game. He added an NBA championship ring in 2024, completing his rise from Portuguese youth basketball to NBA champion. His March 2026 performance of 27 points and 17 rebounds against Philadelphia represented a career milestone, while his November 2025 showing of 19 points and 18 rebounds against Minnesota placed him in the company of Celtics legend Robert Parish. For the Portuguese national team at EuroBasket 2025, he delivered a dominant 23-point, 18-rebound performance in a win over Czechia, leading Portugal to its first EuroBasket victory in 18 years and becoming the first player since FIBA began tracking rebounding numbers to record at least 20 points and 15 rebounds in a EuroBasket debut.

Neemias Queta Career Wins

Throughout his basketball career, Queta has accumulated significant accomplishments at multiple levels. At the collegiate level, he earned Defensive Player of the Year honors twice and received multiple All-Conference selections. In the G League, he established himself as an elite two-way player with All-Defensive Team honors. His greatest achievement remains the 2024 NBA Championship with the Boston Celtics, representing the culmination of his journey from Portuguese youth basketball to NBA champion.

NBA Highlights

During the 2025-26 NBA season, Queta appeared in 76 games with 75 starts while establishing career highs across the board. He averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game. His standout performances included a 27-point, 17-rebound game against Philadelphia on March 1, 2026, and a 19-point, 18-rebound performance versus Minnesota on November 29, 2025. In the 2023-24 season, Queta contributed to the Celtics’ championship run, appearing in the regular season finale with 19 points, six blocks against Washington, and logging minutes in the playoffs and NBA Finals.

Other Wins and Performances

In international competition, Queta led Portugal to a gold medal at the 2019 FIBA U20 European Championship Division B, averaging 14.3 points and 11 rebounds per game while earning all-tournament team honors. He received the 2022 Personality of the Year award from the Portuguese Basketball Federation, which nominated him for the Portuguese Sports Confederation Sports Gala. In the G League, he helped lead Maine to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2024, earning All-NBA G League First Team honors that season.

Neemias Queta Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Queta was born in Lisbon, Portugal, to Mica Queta and Djaneuba Queta, who are originally from Guinea-Bissau. His parents fled their home country during the civil war and found safety in Portugal, where they established their family. His father worked as a businessman with frequent travel throughout Europe, while his mother worked as a chef. Queta grew up in Vale da Amoreira in the municipality of Moita. He comes from a sporting family as the cousin of Mateus Mane, a professional footballer who plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Football League Championship.

Personal Life

Queta currently resides in Boston, Massachusetts, where he plays for the Celtics. He has become a prominent figure in Portuguese basketball, inspiring young players from the country. Celtics fans have given him the nickname “Neem the Dream” for his impactful performances. His journey from a youth player in Portugal to NBA champion represents a historic achievement for Portuguese basketball and has made him a national hero in his home country.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025-26 NBA season marked a breakthrough year for Queta as he assumed the starting center role for the Boston Celtics. With the departures of Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet during the previous offseason, Queta became the primary option at center and delivered consistent production throughout the campaign. He appeared in 76 games with 75 starts, establishing new career highs in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks per game. His averages of 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks reflected his evolution into a reliable two-way contributor at the NBA level.

The season featured several signature performances that demonstrated Queta’s capability as a starting-caliber NBA center. His career-high 27-point game against Philadelphia in March 2026 showcased his offensive development and scoring versatility. Earlier in the season, his 18-rebound performance against Minnesota placed him among elite company in Celtics franchise history. The consistency of his production, particularly his ability to impact games on both ends of the floor, solidified his place in Boston’s rotation and future plans.

Looking ahead, Queta entered the 2025-26 season as a key piece of Boston’s frontcourt rotation. His development from a two-way player to a full-time starter represented significant growth in his game and confidence. The Celtics coaching staff relied on his defensive presence, rebounding, and increasingly polished offensive contributions as they competed for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.