Portugal’s national basketball team head coach, Mário Gomes, has explained the absence of center Neemias Queta from the current roster. Gomes stated Queta’s exclusion is due to ongoing contract renewal negotiations with his NBA team, the Boston Celtics. He emphasized that Queta remains committed to representing his country and desires to play for the national team. The timing of the contract discussions unfortunately clashes with national team commitments. Gomes assured fans that Queta’s absence is not a reflection of his dedication to Portugal. The coach expressed confidence that Queta will be available for future national team appearances once his contract situation is resolved. This situation highlights the challenges of balancing NBA schedules and international play for athletes.