Portugal excludes Celtics center Neemias Queta from 2027 World Cup qualifying squad

Center Neemias Queta was excluded from Portugal's 14-man squad announced on Monday for the upcoming matches against Montenegro and Greece. These games represent the final two matchdays of the first round of qualifying for the 2027 Basketball World Cup.

The Boston Celtics player had been included in a preliminary list of 20 players on May 27, but head coach Mário Gomes did not select him in the final choices for the games scheduled in early July (July 2 against Montenegro in Matosinhos, and July 5 in Greece).

In addition to Neemias—who this time faced no restrictions from the Celtics—the following players were also left out:

• Guards: António Lucas (Ovarense), Diogo Gameiro (Benfica)
• Forwards: Diogo Araújo (Oliveirense), Diogo Seixas (Ourense), Rúben Prey (St. John's University)

Upcoming Schedule

Portugal hosts Montenegro on July 2 at 7:00 PM in Matosinhos, and visits Greece three days later in Athens, with tip-off at 5:30 PM (Lisbon time). Before that, they have a friendly match against Switzerland on June 26 at 5:00 PM.

Group B Standings

With four matchdays played, Portugal sits second in Group B with six points—one win away from qualifying for the second phase. The standings are as follows:

• Greece: 7 points (leaders)
• Portugal: 6 points
• Montenegro: 6 points
• Romania: 5 points (fourth and last place)

The top three teams advance to the second qualifying phase, carrying forward the points accumulated so far.

Portugal's 14-Man Squad

Guards:

• Anthony da Silva (Évreux, Fra)
• Diogo Ventura (Sporting)
• Francisco Amarante (Sporting)
• Rafael Lisboa (Ourense, Esp)

Forwards:

• André Cruz (Sporting)
• Diogo Brito (Obradoiro, Esp)
• Nuno Sá (Palmer BM, Esp)
• Travante Williams (Rouanne Basket, Fra)
• Vladyslav Voytso (FC Porto)

Centers:

• Cândido Sá (Sp. Braga)
• Daniel Relvão (Benfica)
• Gonçalo Delgado (FC Porto)
• Miguel Queiroz (FC Porto)
• Ricardo Monteiro (Sp. Braga)