This offseason offers Neemias Queta a fresh opportunity to carry the momentum from his standout 2025-26 season with the Boston Celtics.
However, Queta has made it clear that training with Houston Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon isn’t on his agenda, leaving the basketball world split over his decision to pass up the opportunity.
Neemias Queta Sparks Online Frenzy With His Hakeem Olajuwon Admission
Training with Hakeem Olajuwon in Houston has become a popular offseason routine among NBA players. For a young player looking to improve, getting the chance to work directly with an NBA legend and Hall of Famer like Olajuwon could appear to be an invaluable opportunity.
However, Queta doesn’t seem interested in taking part because of the hefty price attached to the private workouts.
Queta discussed the expensive offseason training sessions that some NBA players pursue with legends of the game in an interview with A Bola.
When asked about Olajuwon’s well-known workouts, which reportedly cost NBA players $50,000 for private sessions, Queta made it clear that he wouldn’t spend a massive amount of money solely for post-up training.
“I don’t spend $100,000 on training,” Queta said. “Not even with Hakeem Olajuwon.”
Olajuwon’s private post-workout sessions in Houston have become well-known throughout NBA circles. Several superstars, including Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Dwight Howard, have reportedly worked with the Hall of Famer while paying significant sums for his expertise.
Meanwhile, Queta’s comments quickly drew reactions online. Some fans and media members questioned his decision not to invest in training with one of basketball’s greatest centers.
“Coming off that Queta quote, this made me laugh. Hope someone covered Cenac Jr’s bill,” Barstool Sports’ Dan Greenberg wrote while sharing a workout photo of Queta’s teammate Chris Cenac Jr. with Olajuwon.
“This is exactly why he will stay a backup his whole career. Imagine turning down a literal hall of fame legend because you want to save a few dollars. Zero hunger,” another one added.
This is exactly why he will stay a backup his whole career. Imagine turning down a literal hall of fame legend because you want to save a few dollars. Zero hunger.
— 👑 (@ne10uz) July 29, 2026
“Bro turned down the Dream for $100k a week… meanwhile he’s averaging 6 points and playing like a practice dummy. Commitment is dead,” a comment read.
However, not everyone viewed Queta’s decision negatively. Several fans defended the young center, arguing that the reported price for Olajuwon’s training is excessive regardless of how much an NBA player earns.
“I mean thats fair, i am a huge Hakeem fan, but 100k is insane,” one fan wrote.
I mean thats fair, i am a huge Hakeem fan, but 100k is insane
— Luka Doncic Last Stan(d) (@LukaDoncicStanD) July 29, 2026
“Who tf is spending 100k a week on training even though it’s pennies for them,” another one supported.
Queta agreed to a four-year, $56 million contract extension this offseason, keeping him with the Celtics through the end of the 2029-30 season. Despite securing a significant long-term deal in Boston, the 27-year-old appears determined to remain practical with how he spends his money.
The Portuguese big man has had to work his way from being a second-round pick to a dependable NBA player with a significant contract. As a result, Queta’s focus appears to remain on efficiently fulfilling his role, continuing to improve on the court, and keeping his money in his pocket when he doesn’t believe the price is worth it.
