The Boston Celtics signed Neemias Queta as a two-way player in 2023 and promoted him to the active roster in that same season. Two years later, he’s become a starter and in the running for the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award.

Queta has been on an upward trajectory since he landed with Boston in the summer of 2023. Since then, he’s become a well-rounded and important player for the Celtics. He’s averaging career highs across the board with 10.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game in 72 games with 71 starts this season.

Jaylen Brown has seen major improvements from Queta and believes that he’s done enough to be the Most Improved Player in the league. He says that he’s unsure if Queta is in the running, but he should be.

“Neemi’s been great. He’s been just consistently getting better, protecting the rim, finishing, making those little shots, rebounding. He’s been great. In my opinion, he’s probably one of the most improved players this year. And I don’t know if he’s up for the award, but he should be.”

This season, Queta has started the second-most games (71), first in rebounds (604), second in blocks (95), third-most free throw attempts (173), and the top field goal percentage on the team at 64.3%.

Boston’s center ranks in the top 10 of the NBA in defensive rating (108.3, 8th) and defensive box plus/minus (1.9, 9th). Queta can acknowledge the improvements in his game and that he’s made a good case to win the award, but he’s not focused on things that are out of his control.

“I feel like I’ve made a good case for it. But like we say, that stuff that we can’t control. At the end of the day, I’m just helping the team win. And that’s my main goal. Obviously, that’s secondary, the Most Improved [Player Award], but I’m just glad I’m helping my teammates getting to the spot we’re at right now. And whether I win it or don’t win it, it’s not gonna change my perspective and the approach I take every night.”

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla notices that the team can run actions more properly when Queta is on the court, which provides a huge impact for the team.

“I think just his ability- his screening and his reads opens it up for all of us- because we can run our actions. We can see the 2-on-1s, we can make the right play, and he’s just been doing a great job of that. So, yeah, it helps Jayson [Tatum] and Jaylen [Brown], and I think it helps our whole team as well.”

Queta has improved in every aspect of his game this season. It has helped the Celtics eclipse 50 wins and rank second in the Eastern Conference. He is going to be essential for the Celtics in the playoffs.