From Dutch Courts to NBA Floors: Quinten Post’s Unlikely Journey
Imagine being 7 feet tall in a country where basketball isn’t the first—or even fifth—sport on anyone’s mind. That’s exactly where Quinten Post’s story begins. In the flat, cycling-obsessed landscapes of the Netherlands, a lanky teenager with a dream defied the odds, trading windmills for hoop dreams. Today, his name echoes in NBA arenas, proving that sometimes, the most extraordinary paths start in the most unexpected places.
But how does a kid from Almere—a city better known for its modern architecture than its basketball pedigree—end up rubbing shoulders with LeBron and Steph? This isn’t just a tale of height or athleticism. It’s about grit, timing, and a system that barely knew what to do with him. Let’s break down the improbable rise of Quinten Post, and why his journey matters more than you think.
The Dutch Dilemma: How Do You Stand Out When No One’s Looking?
A Country Built for Soccer, Not Slam Dunks
In the Netherlands, if you’re tall, you’re supposed to play volleyball. Or maybe handball. Basketball? That’s the sport Americans play in movies. With a population of 17 million, the country produces roughly one NBA player per decade. Before Post, the last Dutchman to stick in the league was Dan Gadzuric—in 2002.
Post’s hometown, Almere, doesn’t even have a professional basketball team. His early years were spent in local gyms with questionable flooring and even more questionable competition. “I was always the tallest,” he admitted in a 2022 interview, “but that doesn’t mean I was the best.” Without a feeder system like the U.S. high school circuit or Europe’s elite youth academies, Post had to invent his own path.
The Breakthrough: When Europe Noticed
At 16, Post got his first real shot—not in the Netherlands, but in Spain. He joined CB Gran Canaria’s youth team, a move that forced him to adapt or fade away. “I didn’t speak the language,” he recalled. “I just played.” By 18, he was dominating Spain’s second division, averaging 14 points and 7 rebounds per game. Scouts started whispering: “This kid’s different.”
Key Lesson: Talent gets you noticed. Adaptability gets you signed. Post didn’t just rely on his height; he developed a three-point shot (a rarity for big men) and a work ethic that turned heads. When the NBA Draft Combine invited him in 2023, he wasn’t just a novelty—he was a project with potential.
The NBA’s Gamble: Why Teams Took a Chance on an Unknown
Draft Night 2023: The Call That Changed Everything
Post wasn’t a lottery pick. He wasn’t even a first-rounder. The Boston Celtics selected him 50th overall—a spot where most players never sniff an NBA court. But the Celtics, known for their development system, saw something: a 7-footer who could shoot, pass, and defend multiple positions.
His rookie season was a masterclass in patience. Post spent most of 2023-24 in the G League, refining his game with the Maine Celtics. “It’s not about where you start,” he told reporters. “It’s about how you respond to the grind.” By February, he earned his first NBA minutes—and made them count, dropping 12 points in 17 minutes against the Pistons.
The “Unicorn” Label: Why Post Fits the Modern NBA
The NBA today doesn’t just want big men—it wants versatile big men. Post’s ability to:
- Stretch the floor (35% from three in the G League)
- Switch onto guards (uncommon for his size)
- Pass like a guard (3.1 assists per 36 minutes in 2024)
…makes him a prototype for the future. As Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla put it: “Quinten’s not just a project. He’s a piece.”
Behind the Scenes: The Sacrifices No One Talks About
The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Hooper
Post’s journey wasn’t just physical—it was emotional. Moving from the Netherlands to Spain at 16 meant:
- Missing birthdays, holidays, and his brother’s graduation.
- Eating alone in foreign cities where he didn’t speak the language.
- Watching friends back home live “normal” lives while he chased a 0.01% dream.
“There were nights I asked myself, ‘Is this worth it?’” he admitted. The answer only came when he stepped on an NBA court for the first time: “Yes. Always.”
The Dutch Basketball Pipeline: Can Post Inspire a Generation?
Post’s success is already rippling back home. Youth participation in Dutch basketball has spiked 22% since 2023, per the Dutch Basketball Federation. “Kids now believe it’s possible,” says former Dutch national team coach Toon van Helfteren. “Before Quinten, they didn’t.”
But the system still lags. The Netherlands has:
- No full-time basketball high schools (unlike the U.S.).
- Only one professional league team (Donar Groningen) with consistent success.
- Limited funding compared to soccer or field hockey.
Post’s story isn’t just about him—it’s a call to action for Dutch sports culture to rethink what’s possible.
Quinten Post’s Blueprint: 5 Lessons for Under-the-Radar Athletes
1. Master a “Money Skill”
For Post, it was shooting. In a league obsessed with spacing, a big man who can hit threes is gold. Find the one skill that makes you irreplaceable—even if it’s unconventional for your position.
2. Seek Systems That Develop, Not Just Showcase
Post didn’t pick Spain for the weather. He chose CB Gran Canaria because they had a history of developing raw talent (see: Usman Garuba, now with the Warriors). Research organizations, not just teams.
3. Embrace the Grind Phases
From Spain’s second division to the G League, Post spent years in “proving grounds.” These aren’t setbacks—they’re incubators. “The G League taught me more than any NBA game could,” he says.
4. Leverage Your Uniqueness
Post isn’t the most athletic or explosive player. But his combination of size, shooting, and IQ is rare. Instead of trying to fit a mold, he created his own.
5. Build a “Why” Beyond Basketball
Post’s mission? To put Dutch basketball on the map. That purpose kept him going during lonely nights in foreign cities. Find your bigger reason—it’ll fuel you when talent isn’t enough.
What’s Next? The Ceiling for Quinten Post
The Celtics’ Long-Term Plan
With Kristaps Porziņģis aging and Al Horford nearing retirement, Post could be Boston’s big man of the future. His 2024-25 season will be critical: can he:
- Improve his defensive consistency?
- Increase his playmaking in the Celtics’ system?
- Earn 15+ minutes per game in a title contender?
If he checks these boxes, a $10M+/year contract isn’t out of the question by 2026.
The Olympic Dream: Paris 2024
Post is the cornerstone of the Dutch national team, which qualified for the Olympics for the first time in 2024. Leading his country on the world’s biggest stage? That’s the kind of moment that cements legacies.
The Big Picture: Changing the Game Back Home
Post’s ultimate impact might not be in the NBA, but in Amsterdam gyms, where kids now dare to dream bigger. If the Netherlands ever produces another NBA player, they’ll likely point to June 22, 2023—the night Quinten Post heard his name called—as the turning point.
How to Follow Quinten Post’s Journey (And Why You Should)
Post’s story is still being written. Here’s how to stay updated:
- NBA League Pass: Catch his games with the Celtics.
- Instagram/TikTok: @quintenpost (behind-the-scenes content).
- FIBA’s YouTube: Highlights from Dutch national team games.
- Reddit/r/NBA: Fan discussions on his development.
Why it matters: Post isn’t just a player—he’s a symbol for every underdog who’s been told their dream is “unrealistic.” His journey proves that systems can be outsmarted, odds can be defied, and sometimes, the most unlikely paths lead to the brightest stages.
Your Turn: What’s Your “NBA Dream”?
You don’t need to be 7 feet tall to relate to Post’s story. We’ve all faced moments where the system wasn’t built for us—where the odds felt stacked, and the path wasn’t clear. The question is: What’s your version of “Dutch kid to NBA”?
Maybe it’s:
- Launching a business in an industry that ignores you.
- Switching careers when everyone says “stick to what you know.”
- Chasing a passion that your country, family, or friends don’t “get.”
Post’s story reminds us that the “impossible” is just the untried. So here’s your nudge: Take one step today. Research that opportunity. Send that email. Book that ticket. Because a decade from now, someone might be writing about your unlikely journey—and how it all started with a single, stubborn decision to bet on yourself.
Drop a comment: What’s the dream you’re chasing against the odds? Let’s build a thread of “unrealistic” goals—and then prove them wrong.
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