The post Joe Mazzulla reveals the origins of Neemias Queta’s breakout season at Celtic originally appeared on NESN. Click here to add NESN as your preferred source.
Boston Celtics center Nemeans Queta has been a walk-on double-double of late and is starting to look like a legitimate candidate for Most Improved Player.
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Queta’s story in 2025-26 is one of the best in the NBA as he completes the narrative arc from G-League regular to starting big man on one of the NBA’s best teams.
John Hollinger of The Athletic wrote about Queta’s rise this week, including a quote from Celtics head coach Joe Mazzula suggesting that Queta’s FIBA performance with Portugal this summer elevated the center to the next level.
“(When) he played in FIBA this summer, I thought he had a different approach. Then, just his growth,” Mazzula said, per Hollinger. “I think the evolution of his game, but also the evolution of his mentality, taking ownership and responsibility of being the starting center for the Celtics. He’s very proud of that.”
Queta has played in 63 games for the Celtics this season, averaging 10 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.
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Recent standout performances include a career-high 27 points and 17 rebounds against Philadelphia on March 1, 16 points and 15 rebounds against Dallas on March 6, and most recently 24 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Washington on Saturday night.
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