Joe Mazzulla spent last summer giving Neemias Queta a head start.
Before training camp opened, the Celtics coach told him he would be Boston’s starting center when he got there in the fall, giving Queta the offseason to get ready for the job. Queta said that message was “crucial” to what became a major leap for him in 2025-26, when he climbed from fourth on the depth chart to a top-10 center in the regular season.
The numbers back up the rise. The Lisbon, Portugal, native averaged 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks. Among players who appeared in at least 60 games and played 25 minutes or more, he posted the fourth-best net rating at 13.2, ranked fifth in win shares per 48 minutes, and finished in the top three in screen assists and field goal percentage.
That growth was part of the conversation Friday, when the Celtics and Dunkin’ unveiled a newly renovated outdoor basketball court at The Salvation Army Boston Kroc Center in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Queta said Mazzulla’s message this offseason has been to keep building on what he already showed.
"Understand that this year was a really good year, but still just the beginning of the iceberg for me. Still feel very, very untapped in terms of potential," said Queta.
"I want to be able to evolve in all aspects of my game. So, having that type of mindset from your head coach and the staff -- pouring into you -- it's only going to help you long term.
And I'm really grateful."
Now entering his sixth year in the Association, Queta is aiming to widen his game even further. One focus is doing more damage against mismatches.
Another is creating with the ball in his hands, something he worked on with Mazzulla during the coach’s visit to Portugal this summer. That includes making plays when he catches it in the seam and showing off a less obvious part of his skill set: beating centers off the dribble from the perimeter.
He’s also open to taking more 3s. Queta attempted eight during the 2025-26 campaign and knocked down his first career make from deep. Those additions are part of the next phase of his development after last season’s breakout.
"You also want to improve on your not-so-great areas because those are the things that really can hurt you," expressed Queta. "But also being able to add different facets of your game over the years can only make you more versatile and more impactful."
Queta’s growth has also been shaped by Boston’s staff. Entering his fourth year with the Celtics, he has worked closely with Nana Foulland, Da'Sean Butler, and DJ MacLeay, a group that helped turn his size, athleticism, intellect, and work ethic into a four-year, $56 million contract extension this offseason.
Between Mazzulla’s constant challenge and the coaching staff’s day-to-day work, Queta has become a strong example of Boston’s player development machine. The Celtics have a reputation for finding new ways to sharpen players while staying inside a system that already works, and Queta looks ready to use last season’s breakthrough as the launch point for what comes next.
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