BOSTON -- Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla gave Neemias Queta a call last summer to send a message: Queta was going to be the team's starting center. Mazzulla wanted the big man to prepare himself emotionally, mentally and physically for that responsibility come this season.
In present day, the Celtics just keep winning -- and Queta continues to be a consistent force as a starter. His fingerprints were all over the Celtics' 114-98 win over the 76ers on Sunday, putting together a career night. It was just the latest stellar game for Queta in what's been a breakout season.
"I feel like it was depositing his trust in me," Queta said of Mazzulla's phone call. "Just having my back through and through it all. It wasn't like the easiest summer for me, too. He was always there. Present. Just trying to help me out. Just trying to get me as confident as I could just to get out here and help us win."
In 27 minutes Sunday night, Queta finished with a career-high 27 points, shooting 10-for-14 from the field. He added 17 rebounds with 10 of those coming on the offensive glass. Queta became the first Celtic since Robert Parish in 1989 to score 27 or more points and get 10 or more offensive rebounds.
Queta noted there's always some luck involved in big rebounding totals, but he made his presence felt physically all night.
Celtics fans made sure to shower him with praise when he checked in and out of the game. It even got to the point where MVP chants rained down on him at the free-throw line.
Queta joked he lost focus in those moments, leading to some missed free throws. Still, it was a sign of respect.
"He's taken on that ownership and responsibility well, and he's got to keep it going," Mazzulla said. "He has a responsibility now to continue to get better, regardless of the process."
Queta is the Celtics' latest successful development story. The big man started his career with the Kings, drafted 39th overall in 2021. But Sacramento waived him after two seasons, allowing the Celtics to scoop him up on a two-way contract. Queta showed off solid play in his first few years in Boston, but it was clear he was still raw.
There were questions coming into this season about what the center rotation would look like for the Celtics. Queta was the lone returner when the Celtics' top three centers left. It was far from a guarantee that Queta would be such a dependable starter in his first real shot at starter minutes.
But what he has done is prove the Celtics right. He's averaging career-highs across the board with 10.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. Queta's defense has also been steady with the Celtics improving on that end significantly. Most importantly, Queta has been consistent.
"I think it's just like the expectations that they have from you," Queta said of the coaching staff. "They really have a care factor, too, for you as a person. So their ability to go out there every day, demand a bunch out of you and still be able to go out there and have a relationship with you outside of basketball and just trying to have your best interests too."