Celtics' Queta Deserves Most Improved Player Award, Says Teammate White

Boston point guard Derrick White believes Neemias Queta's growth over his career makes him the clear choice for the NBA's top improvement honor.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 5:09pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting breaking down a basketball game or match into sharp, overlapping geometric planes in a vibrant color palette, conceptually representing the growth and development of an NBA player over multiple seasons.Queta's steady rise from unheralded draft pick to elite NBA center is captured in this cubist-inspired illustration.Boston Today

Boston Celtics point guard Derrick White believes his teammate, center Neemias Queta, deserves to win the NBA's Most Improved Player award this season. White highlighted Queta's steady development over his five-year career, noting how the Portuguese big man has emerged as one of the league's best centers despite initial doubts about his ability to succeed at the NBA level.

Why it matters

The Most Improved Player award often goes to young, high draft picks who take a big scoring leap. Queta's case stands out as an example of a player who has steadily improved his all-around game over multiple seasons, becoming an impact two-way player for a contending Celtics team.

The details

White pointed out that Queta has had to "battle" and "learn and grow" over his first four NBA seasons before finally breaking out this year. Despite not being a high draft pick, Queta has emerged as one of the league's top centers, excelling on both ends of the floor and helping the Celtics remain among the Eastern Conference elite.

  • Queta is in his fifth NBA season after being drafted in 2021.
  • The 2025-26 NBA regular season just concluded, setting the stage for end-of-year awards.

The players

Neemias Queta

A 25-year-old center for the Boston Celtics who has developed into one of the league's best two-way big men after being a relatively unheralded draft pick.

Derrick White

The starting point guard for the Boston Celtics who hosts the "White Noise" podcast and has been a vocal advocate for his teammate Queta to win the NBA's Most Improved Player award.

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What they’re saying

“I think the award has always gone to high draft picks that finally get the ball and then they got a big scoring jump. Obviously (Queta), this is your fifth year, right? In like four years where he didn't (have the run), he's just battling trying to learn and grow.”

— Derrick White, Boston Celtics point guard

“And then now he's put into a position where I think a lot of people thought you were going to fail and now you're succeeding at a high level and one of the best bigs in the league, so I definitely think (Queta) should win most improved.”

— Derrick White, Boston Celtics point guard

What’s next

The NBA will announce the winner of the 2025-26 Most Improved Player award in the coming weeks as the playoffs get underway.

The takeaway

Queta's steady improvement over multiple seasons, despite not being a highly touted draft pick, makes him a compelling candidate for the NBA's Most Improved Player award this year. His growth into an elite two-way center has been a key factor in the Celtics' continued success.