Neemias Queta in the running for an NBA award: "He's been fantastic!"

While oddsmakers favor Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Atlanta Hawks) and Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons) for the NBA's Most Improved Player award, Portuguese big man Neemias Queta is also entering the conversation, backed by Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla and teammate Jaylen Brown.

Following another standout performance from the Portuguese center, who scored 18 points in Sunday's 115-101 victory over the Toronto Raptors, Brown argued that Queta deserves consideration for the accolade.

"Neemi has been fantastic. He's consistently improved, protecting the rim, finishing, making short-range shots, and grabbing rebounds. He's been great. He's probably one of the most improved players this year. I don't know if he's in the running for the award, but he should be," the American star stated.

The 26-year-old Neemias Queta himself revealed that winning the award has become a personal goal, and he believes he has strong arguments to back it up.

"I think about it," the Portuguese player admitted. "I feel like I have good arguments, but these are things we can't control. I'm just helping the team win. That's my main goal. Obviously, the Most Improved Player award is secondary, but I'm happy to help my teammates get to where we are now. And whether I win it or not, that won't change my perspective and the approach I take to every game."

Against the Raptors, Queta scored 18 points (9-of-10 from the field), grabbed seven rebounds, dished out four assists, and blocked three shots. In his 34 minutes on the court, the Celtics held a plus-30 differential.

But Queta's development extends to defense and screening. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla praised the player's ability to "read the game in real-time very well."