Celtics’ Derrick White Endorses Neemias Queta for Breakout Season

The Boston Celtics, fresh off their 2024 NBA championship, face an unprecedented challenge in the 2025-26 season. With Jayson Tatum sidelined by a ruptured Achilles tendon, key veterans Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet gone via trades or free agency, and a younger roster stepping into the spotlight, the Celtics are no longer championship favorites, per ESPN. Amid this transition, guard Derrick White, a cornerstone of Boston’s success, has ignited hope among fans with a bold prediction about center Neemias Queta. Speaking on his White Noise podcast in September 2025, White praised Queta’s potential, stating that coach Joe Mazzulla’s tough love over the past few years has prepared him for a breakout season. “I think Joe has always been super hard on him for the last couple of years to prepare him for something like this,” White said. “Obviously, he’s going to have to have a big year, and we’re going to ask a lot out of him, which is exciting.” This article explores Queta’s journey, White’s endorsement, the Celtics’ roster challenges, and why Queta could be the key to keeping Boston competitive in 2025-26.

Derrick White’s Statement and Its Significance

On a September 4, 2025, episode of White Noise, Derrick White offered high praise for Neemias Queta, signaling confidence in the 26-year-old center’s readiness for a larger role. “He’s a guy who works hard, competes at a high level, and is just continuing to learn what works and what doesn’t in the NBA,” White said. “We’re super excited for Neemias… I’m a big fan; he’s had so many different moments in these last two years. He’s helped us win games, or he’s changed the momentum of a game. It’s a big role for him.”

White’s comments, as reported by Hardwood Houdini, come at a critical juncture for the Celtics. The team’s offseason trades—Holiday to Portland and Porzingis to Atlanta—along with the loss of Horford and Kornet, have left the frontcourt thin, per NESN. Tatum’s injury, sustained in the 2025 playoffs, further depletes Boston’s star power, with Boston.com projecting a 45-37 record and a play-in berth. White’s endorsement of Queta, coupled with his acknowledgment of Mazzulla’s rigorous coaching—“Joe has always been super hard on him”—suggests that Queta is primed to fill the void as Boston’s starting center.

Neemias Queta’s Journey to Boston

Born July 13, 1999, in Barreiro, Portugal, Neemias Queta was a standout at Utah State, where he averaged 14.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks as a junior in 2020-21, earning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honors. Selected 39th overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2021 NBA Draft, Queta spent his rookie season on a two-way contract, splitting time between the NBA and G League. His 7-foot, 248-pound frame and 7-foot-4 wingspan made him a rim-protecting force, but limited offensive polish restricted his role, averaging 3.0 points in 15 games, per Basketball-Reference.

In August 2022, Queta signed a two-way contract with the Celtics, marking the start of his Boston tenure. His first season (2022-23) was modest, with 2.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 8 games, primarily in garbage time. However, his G League performance with the Maine Celtics—14.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks—showed promise, per NBA.com. In 2023-24, Queta earned a standard contract, appearing in 28 games and averaging 5.5 points and 4.4 rebounds on 64.4% shooting. His breakout came in 2024-25, playing a career-high 62 games, including six starts, with 5.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 13.9 minutes, per NBC Sports Boston.

Queta’s international exploits further highlight his potential. Leading Portugal to a 17-point upset over Spain in a 2025 exhibition, Queta scored 17 points, including a game-winning dunk, per NESN. His performance at EuroBasket 2025, averaging 14.3 points and 9.1 rebounds, drew praise from Porzingis, who told Heavy Sports, “Neemy has been getting better every year… He deserves some real minutes.”

Joe Mazzulla’s Tough Love and Queta’s Growth

White’s podcast comments emphasized Mazzulla’s demanding coaching style as a catalyst for Queta’s development. “Joe has always been super hard on him for the last couple of years to prepare him for something like this,” White said, suggesting that Mazzulla’s rigorous approach has honed Queta’s skills for a starting role. Mazzulla, known for his defensive emphasis, has challenged Queta to improve his finishing, defensive positioning, and discipline against pump fakes, per Heavy Sports.

Queta’s response to Mazzulla’s coaching was evident in a standout performance against the Washington Wizards on October 24, 2024, where he scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds, including four offensive boards, in a 122-102 win, per Outlook India. White praised Queta’s growth, noting, “He’s just a big body around the rim… I think he’s a little more comfortable, a lot more sure of himself.” Mazzulla’s tough love, including critical feedback at a 2024 community event where Queta laughed off questions about his coaching style, per Hardwood Houdini, has prepared him for the increased responsibility of 2025-26.

The Celtics’ Roster Challenges

The 2025-26 Celtics face a drastically altered landscape. Tatum’s absence, Holiday’s trade to Portland for Anfernee Simons and draft picks, and Porzingis’ move to Atlanta for salary relief have depleted Boston’s championship core, per EssentiallySports. Horford and Kornet’s free-agent departures further thin the frontcourt, leaving Queta, Chris Boucher, Luka Garza, and Xavier Tillman Sr. as the primary bigs, per Hardwood Houdini. ESPN projects Boston as a 42-44 win team, a stark contrast to their 64-18 championship season in 2024.

Queta, projected as the starting center, faces immense pressure to anchor the paint. His 65% field-goal percentage and 0.7 blocks per game in 2024-25 suggest he can contribute, but improving his finishing (61.4% at the rim) and defensive awareness will be critical, per Heavy Sports. White’s confidence in Queta—“We’re going to ask a lot out of him, which is exciting”—reflects the team’s reliance on his growth to keep Boston competitive in a tough Eastern Conference led by Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and New York.

Why Queta Could Break Out

Several factors position Queta for a breakout season:

1. Increased Opportunity: With Porzingis, Horford, and Kornet gone, Queta is the frontrunner for the starting center role, per NESN. His 13.9 minutes per game in 2024-25 could double, giving him the chance to showcase his rim protection and rebounding.
2. Physical Tools: At 7-foot, 248 pounds, Queta’s size and 7-foot-4 wingspan make him a defensive force. His 1.9 blocks per 36 minutes in 2024-25 suggest elite potential, per NBA.com.
3. Work Ethic: White’s praise of Queta’s hard work and competitiveness aligns with his G League dominance and international success. His ability to learn from Mazzulla’s coaching indicates readiness for a larger role.
4. Team Support: White, Jaylen Brown (23.0 points, 5.5 rebounds in 2024-25), and Payton Pritchard (9.6 points, 44.3% from three) provide a strong core to ease Queta’s transition, per Yardbarker. New additions like Anfernee Simons and Davion Mitchell add offensive and defensive balance.

Queta’s standout moments, like his 11 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks in a 2025 loss to Orlando, show his ability to impact games, per NBA.com. If he can refine his offensive game and maintain defensive consistency, a 10-point, 8-rebound season is within reach, per CBS Sports projections.

Challenges for Queta

Despite the optimism, Queta faces significant hurdles. His limited offensive repertoire—relying on dunks and putbacks—requires improvement in finishing and mid-range shooting, per Heavy Sports. Defensive discipline, particularly against pump fakes, remains a work in progress, as Mazzulla has noted. The Eastern Conference’s elite bigs, like Joel Embiid and Nikola Vucevic, will test Queta’s readiness. Additionally, integrating with a younger roster featuring Simons and rookie Kasparas Jakucionis demands chemistry, which White’s comments suggest will be a focus: “Getting everybody accustomed to how we do things in Boston.”

Fan and Media Reactions

White’s endorsement has sparked excitement on X. @CelticsFanatic tweeted, “Derrick White hyping up Neemias Queta? I’m all in for a breakout season! .” @BostonHoops wrote, “Queta’s about to prove Mazzulla’s tough love was worth it.” Media outlets echoed the sentiment. Hardwood Houdini called White’s statement “a reason to believe Queta could be the steal of the season,” while NBC Sports Boston noted, “Queta’s hustle and growth make him a perfect fit for Mazzulla’s system.” Heavy Sports highlighted Porzingis’ support, stating, “Neemy’s been putting in the work, and you can see it in his game.”

The Broader Context: Celtics’ Retooling

The Celtics’ 2025-26 season is a retooling year, with White and Brown leading a younger roster. Simons’ 22.6 points per game add scoring, but his defensive limitations require Queta’s rim protection, per EssentiallySports. Pritchard’s sharpshooting and Mitchell’s defense provide balance, but Queta’s ability to anchor the paint will determine Boston’s ceiling. White’s leadership, as emphasized in his podcast, will be crucial in maintaining the Celtics’ culture of toughness and teamwork, per CelticsBlog.

Boston’s schedule, starting October 28, 2025, against Cleveland, includes early tests against the Knicks and 76ers, per NBA.com. Queta’s performance in these matchups will gauge his readiness. A successful season could see him become a long-term starter, especially with his $2.2 million contract expiring in 2026, per Spotrac.

Derrick White’s September 2025 White Noise podcast statement has electrified Celtics fans, spotlighting Neemias Queta as a potential breakout star for the 2025-26 season. With Tatum sidelined and key veterans traded, Queta’s emergence as the starting center is critical for a retooling Boston squad. White’s praise—“He’s helped us win games, or he’s changed the momentum”—and Mazzulla’s tough coaching have prepared Queta for a larger role, backed by his G League dominance and international success. His 7-foot frame, work ethic, and rim protection position him to fill the void left by Porzingis and Horford. As the Celtics navigate a challenging season, Queta’s potential, endorsed by White, offers hope that Boston can remain competitive, keeping their championship spirit alive.