Neemias Queta a Most Improved Player Candidate According to Jaylen Brown
Neemias Queta is making waves this season with the Boston Celtics, and his teammate Jaylen Brown has no hesitation in backing him for the Most Improved Player award. After Sunday’s 115-101 win over the Toronto Raptors, Brown was clear about his teammate’s merits.
« Neemi has been fantastic, » said Brown. « He keeps improving, protects the rim, finishes his plays, knocks down those little baskets, grabs rebounds. He’s been tremendous. In my opinion, he’s probably one of the most improved players this year. And I don’t know if he’s in the running for the award, but he should be. »
Jaylen Brown:
« Neemias Queta needs to be the most improved player, he needs to be on the defensive team or something. He needs some type of award for his growth this year. » (h/t @lockedupjb) pic.twitter.com/nKQQQZ4wul
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 6, 2026
Numbers That Speak for Themselves
Queta‘s stats this season speak for themselves. Averaging 10.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, the Portuguese center has filled the void left by the departures of Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet. His improvement is spectacular: he has recorded 16 double-doubles in 73 games this season, compared to just two in 110 games during his early NBA seasons.
Against Toronto, Queta once again shone with 18 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks, making nine of his ten shot attempts in 34 minutes. These performances have helped keep Boston in second place in the Eastern Conference despite absences at the center position.
« It’s almost like night and day » compared to the start of the season, according to Brown. « I think the connection is much better. His understanding has grown, and I’d just say his feel for the game. Early in the season, it felt like when you had a conversation with him, it wasn’t clicking, and now everything seems to click with him. »
Coach Joe Mazzulla also highlighted Queta’s defensive progress. « I think he’s been excellent defensively. Just his positioning and rim protection for us, along with his rebounding, » commented Mazzulla.
Queta himself admits he thinks about the Most Improved Player award « all the time, » even if it’s not his primary goal. « I feel like I’ve made a good case for it, » he said. « But as they say, it’s something you can’t control. At the end of the day, I’m just helping the team win. And that’s my main goal. »
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