Big man Neemias Queta has been having himself a summer with the Portuguese National Team, playing well in EuroBasket play during the exhibition phase, and having a historic debut in group play on his way to helping deliver the first win for Portugal in the FIBA tournament in 18 years while putting up an impressive 23 points, 18 rebounds, and 4 blocks against the Czech National Team.
The improved play for the Lisbon native comes ahead of a season that will see his role explode in terms of expectations and role, with Queta slated to be Boston’s starting center. Pending a surprise coming out of training camp or an unexpected move from the team’s front office, at any rate. The (former) backup Boston big recently spoke with CLNS Media reporter Bobby Manning to talk over his new roles with the Portuguese National Team and the Celtics, emphasizing the importance of the opportunities in front of him.
“It’s a really big competition for us,” explained Queta. “It’s the first time that this generation and the first time in life in … years. I don’t know that Portugal plays in the main competition of the EuroBasket. It was a dream before, right now, it was something that we worked for.”
As for his expanded role with Boston, the Portuguese center seemed humble in his outlook on the coming campaign. “It’s not really what we were really expecting,” Queta said. “But I feel like we’re in a position that I’m growing, I’m developing at a steady pace, with big responsibility becomes the man of … I need to show out every day with more consistency.”
“I’ve been working at it, and I feel like I’m getting ready for it, so hopefully it’s going to be a big year for me in general, and I think I’m going to step up for the occasion and all the other guys as well. We’re not really the group that everybody points out as the best, but we’re going to prove them otherwise.”
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