Portugal's Basketball Team Relies on Its Only NBA Player, Neemias Queta

In the August window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers, Portugal's national basketball team faces two important matches. Coached by Mario Gomes, the team will play away against Spain and host Georgia on home ground.

Portugal's hopes for a positive result rest heavily on team leader Neemias Queta, who remains the only player in the country's history to have played in the NBA.

A standout performance last year

At last year's European Championship, Queta recorded 23 points and 18 rebounds to help Portugal defeat the Czech Republic. It marked the country's first win at a final tournament in 18 years.

This past July, it was announced that Queta had extended his contract with the Boston Celtics for three more seasons, worth a combined 56 million US dollars.

A tough road to the tournament

Portugal finished the first round of qualifying with a record of three wins and three losses. In the second round, the team must face Spain, Georgia and Ukraine twice each. In Group I standings after the first round, Spain leads with 11 points, followed by Ukraine and Montenegro with 10 points each, while Portugal sits on nine points, tied for fourth-fifth place with Greece.