Celtics Notes: Queta, Scheierman, Tatum, Vucevic

Celtics beginning middle Neemias Queta lately detailed his journey because the NBA’s first (and solely) participant from Portugal in an interview with Marc J. Spears of Andscape. Queta’s mother and father moved to Portugal from their native Guinea-Bissau because of the civil battle that happened within the West African nation within the late Nineteen Nineties, Spears writes.

Queta has by no means been to Guinea-Bissau or to Africa, however he hopes to go to his mother and father’ residence nation together with his mom “in the next couple of years.”

“They have been in type of like a refugee sort of state of affairs. It was extra making an attempt to get to that protected place and Port Portugal welcomed them“Queta mentioned.

The 26-year-old massive man, who was born in Lisbon and grew up 20 miles outdoors of Portugal’s capital, did not begin taking part in basketball till he was 10 years outdated, per Spears, and solely had one full scholarship supply (from Utah State) within the United States in 2018. After he spent three years with the Aggies, Sacramento chosen Queta thirty ninth total within the 2021 draft.

Queta spent two years with the Kings on two-way contracts, however was waived within the 2023 offseason. The Celtics signed him to a two-way deal just a few days later, and after being transformed on the finish of the 2023/24 season, he signed a multiyear commonplace contract in the summertime of 2024. Boston holds a $2.7MM group choice on Queta for 2026/27.

“It’s a lot of love. Being the face of the NBA for Portugal is pretty good for me“Queta said.”It’s a blessing that I do not take frivolously. I simply need to be out right here and simply do one of the best I can so I can put one of the best model of our tradition on the map.”

Here’s extra on the Celtics, who’re presently 39-20, the No. 2 seed within the Eastern Conference:

• Second-year guard Baylor Scheierman is questionable for Sunday’s sport vs. Philadelphia as a result of a left thumb fracture, tweets Keith Smith of Spotrac. Scheierman, who’s left-handed, appeared to endure the damage when he collided with Egor Demin within the second quarter of Friday’s win over Brooklyn, based on Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston (Twitter video link). The 25-year-old wing was in a position to keep within the sport one other 13 minutes after having his thumb taped, Forsberg provides. Scheierman has been productive in 13 video games (27.1 MPG) as a starter this season, Forsberg notes (via Twitter), averaging 8.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.5 APG and 1.1 SPG whereas taking pictures 36.8% on threes and taking part in stable protection. Scheierman, the thirtieth total decide within the 2024 draft, has began Boston’s final eight video games.
• there had been speculation that Jayson Tatum may return to motion on March 1, however that will not be the case, because the star ahead has been dominated out towards the 76ers as he continues to work his manner again from a torn Achilles tendon, per Souichi Terada of MassLive.com.
• The Celtics are targeted on self-improvement and integrating commerce deadline acquisition Nikola Vucevic as they give the impression of being to make one other deep playoff run, writes Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe (subscriber hyperlink). The 35-year-old middle had his finest sport with Boston throughout Friday’s lopsided victory, recording 28 factors (on 9-of-13 taking pictures), 11 rebounds and 4 assists in simply 25 minutes. “I’m still getting used to the new offense and all my teammates and learning their tendencies“Vucevic said.”At instances I believe I do overthink a little bit bit, which makes me type of hesitant and takes away my aggressiveness. I really feel like [Friday] I used to be in a position to put a little bit extra collectively and play off my teammates. I simply have to search out the suitable steadiness of being aggressive, use my instincts however make it match with what we need to run.”