Neemias Queta Tribute Court Unveiled Today in Boston

Today marks the grand opening of the Neemias Queta-dedicated playground in Boston! The project, initially conceived by Hoopers, began to take shape during the last NBA season and was slated for completion during the previous playoffs but extended through the summer.

Now, after months of securing various permits, integrating sponsors (Delta Cafés and Sumol Compal), and gaining support from the city council and the Portuguese consulate, along with the design and execution of the work, the Portuguese Celtics center will be the guest of honor this afternoon (9 PM in Portugal) at the basketball court at King Open School in Cambridge.

The court has undergone an artistic renovation that celebrates the heritage of the local Portuguese-American community and prominently features Neemias' jersey number, 88, which he has worn since entering the NBA in 2021/22 and will continue to use as he prepares for his fourth season with the Celtics.

The design was crafted by a team of Portuguese artists who traveled to Massachusetts specifically for this purpose. It seamlessly blends the school's values of diversity and inclusion with the culture of the region's Portuguese community, as the court is situated in the heart of Greater Boston's Portuguese-American community, home to generations of families from the Azores, Madeira, and mainland Portugal.

André Costa, founder and CEO of Hoopers, who also organizes Neemias' youth training camps in Portugal, highlighted the choice of location. "King Open School possesses one of the most genuine community identities we've encountered, making it the ideal site for our first project in the USA." He added, "The school's values, the neighborhood's deep connection to Portugal, and the opportunity to spotlight a national icon like Neemias Queta created the perfect story to tell through art."

Meanwhile, Darren Williams, principal of King Open School, emphasized the initiative's lasting impact. "Our values center on openness, diversity, and inclusion. We were honored to serve as a canvas to celebrate one of Boston's special cultural heritages. Having representatives from the Boston Celtics here will create lasting memories for our children. We will be the most colorful and inspiring court in the city," he affirmed.