Raptors missed out on this hidden NBA gem after his stellar game for Celtics

For the casual NBA fan, the name Neemias Queta might not ring a bell.

Well, if you're not familiar with Queta's game, you likely learned about him following the Raptors' matchup against Boston on November 17.

Queta spent three collegiate seasons at Utah State, establishing himself as a reliable big man capable of consistently producing double-doubles.

Standing at an impressive 7 feet tall and weighing a solid 250 pounds, Queta is a formidable presence on the court. Despite being an older prospect, the Sacramento Kings selected the Portugal native with the 39th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, marking a significant milestone for Queta as he became the first player of Portuguese descent to be drafted into the NBA.

His tenure with the Kings, however, was underwhelming; he averaged approximately three points per game over two seasons while playing less than ten minutes per night. It wasn't until he signed a two-way deal with the Celtics last season that he began to make an impact during limited playing time.

While not expected to log heavy minutes as a Celtics reserve, he demonstrated his potential to become a valuable asset. Neemias Queta emerged as one of the top per-minute players at the center position during the 2023-24 season, averaging an impressive 16 points and 13 rebounds per 36 minutes.

Neemias Queta is hugely underrated

He was among a group of ten players, but Queta stood out as the only one to average 2.3 blocks per 36 minutes. Additionally, he recorded 1.4 steals and displayed remarkable efficiency with a field goal percentage of 64.4 percent.

On November 17, Queta logged 33 minutes of play against the Toronto Raptors, contributing a strong performance with 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field, along with eight rebounds, two assists, and one block.

For a player of his size, Queta exhibits remarkable poise on the court, demonstrating exceptional efficiency as a center with a current field goal percentage of 65%. Over the past three seasons with the Boston Celtics, he has maintained an impressive average field goal percentage of 65.5%. Queta has demonstrated a strong sense of unselfishness, consistently prioritizing the strengths and success of his team.

That said, it is evident that Queta can make a significant impact in a game, regardless of whether he plays 10 minutes or more than 30. His performance level remains high, making him a valuable asset to any team. Notably, Queta’s playing style closely resembles that of an archetype highly valued by the Toronto Raptors—a tall center capable of blocking shots and scoring effectively in the paint.

His lack of a three-point shot is certainly a limitation to his overall skill set; however, this has not significantly hindered his playing time. Teams like Boston continue to trust Queta’s intangibles and regularly put him on the court.

It’s disappointing to see Queta excel against the Raptors, especially considering that Toronto had a significant opportunity to present a more lucrative offer than Boston's three-year, $7 million extension this past offseason.

However, one can understand his perspective, as this opportunity allows Queta to potentially add another title to his achievements if Boston manages to reclaim their success. Additionally, considering his youth, there's always the possibility that he could find himself with the Toronto Raptors in the future.