Neemias Queta Is Making the Celtics Look Smart - and the Knicks' Mike Brown Knows It
BOSTON - When Mike Brown first laid eyes on Neemias Queta, he saw the raw tools every coach dreams of in a young big man: size, mobility, and upside. But back in Sacramento, that vision never materialized.
The Kings waived Queta in September 2023, and the Celtics quietly scooped him up. Fast forward to the 2025-26 season, and Queta’s gone from G League project to a key cog in Boston’s rotation - and Brown, now coaching the Knicks, is watching that growth unfold from the opposing sideline.
"I don’t like playing against him because he can impact the game in a lot of different ways," Brown admitted before a marquee matchup between the Celtics and Knicks. "He’s going to be good for the Celtics for many years to come."
It’s not hard to see why. Through 20 games this season, Queta is averaging 9.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game - both career highs - and doing it with the kind of consistency that’s earned him a starting role for a Celtics team sitting at 11-9.
His presence in the paint has become a stabilizing force for Boston’s defense, giving them a true rim protector who’s also mobile enough to switch and recover. In short, he’s become the kind of center every modern NBA team is looking for.
And while the Celtics’ front office deserves credit for identifying his potential, it’s the development behind the scenes that’s turned Queta into a legitimate contributor. Brown was quick to acknowledge that, tipping his cap to Boston’s leadership.
"That’s a testament to Brad [Stevens] and their coaching staff finding young talent out there and helping them grow," he said.
For the Celtics, Queta’s rise couldn’t have come at a better time. With injuries and rotation shakeups early in the season, Boston needed someone to step up - and Queta answered the call. He’s not just filling minutes; he’s anchoring the defense, controlling the glass, and giving the Celtics second-chance opportunities with his relentless energy on the boards.
“It looks like he’s found a home,” Brown added. And that might be the most important part of Queta’s story.
This wasn’t a sure thing when he arrived in Boston. He was still raw, still unproven, and still fighting for a spot in the league.
But the Celtics gave him the runway, and Queta’s taken off. Now, as Boston looks to build on its early-season momentum, the 7-footer from Portugal is one of the biggest reasons they’re in the playoff picture.
He’ll get another chance to show just how far he’s come on Tuesday night, when the Celtics and Knicks face off for the second time this season - and for the 500th time in their storied rivalry. For Brown, it’s a reminder of what could’ve been. For Queta, it’s just another opportunity to prove he belongs.