By Melody Gross 
The Boston Celtics confirmed the continuation of Portuguese Neemias Cueta in the team that became the champion of the North American Basketball League (NBA) for the 18th time.
Last weekend, the specialized press in North America reported that the Portuguese center had signed a multi-year contract with the Celtics, which the franchise has now confirmed, announcing that he is back, after the player was considered “free”.
“We are thrilled that Niemi has chosen to return and sign with the Celtics,” said Brad Stevens, former coach and current Celtics team president, saying he was “excited by his impact last season and anticipates even better days ahead.”
The Celtics had the option to automatically renew the Portuguese's contract for the 2024/25 season, but they did not exercise that option, in order to extend its duration.
And that's not all. According to the Boracha Laranja portal, the center will be on the Celtics team that will participate in the Summer League. For Boston, the competition targeting young players begins on July 13.
Neemias Queta joined Boston in 2023/24 and became a champion in his first season, after two years with the Sacramento Kings (2021/22 and 2022/23), who selected him 39th overall in the 2021 draft.
On a team full of great players, Neemias Koita had little room to show himself, rarely getting into the rotation and being used only sparingly in the playoffs, but he was always highly praised by coach Joe Mazzola.
The Portuguese was on the court for just three of the Celtics' 19 games, including one in the final, where he came on with 5:25 left, as Boston lost by 45 points to the Mavericks, in what was their only defeat in the series (84-122).
In the short time he spent in the “finals”, he scored two points, converted the only “shot” he attempted, and also managed to interfere with the shot, “winning” seven points while he was on the court.
Previously, he played in the first two games of the conference semifinals, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning 120-95 and losing 94-118, with the games decided. He added two points and three rebounds in eight minutes.
However, after signing a record contract with the Celtics, on April 8, he was part of Boston's “15” team selected for the playoffs and was always on the bench.
With his use in three playoff games, a first ever, Neemias Queta has a total of 31 goals in the 2023/24 season, having been in 28 regular season games, almost all of which (24) have been decisive wins for the Massachusetts team.
In the regular season, the 24-year-old Portugal international averaged 5.5 points and 4.4 rebounds in 11.9 minutes.