The Mountain West Conference has produced some legendary NBA players over the decades, and the current crop playing in the league all have a shot at the 2024/25 title — well, some more than others, perhaps. Given the Boston Celtics’ dominant showing last season, it might be
foolish to bet against them taking home back-to-back NBA titles, and they have started as they mean to go on, currently sitting second in the rankings at this admittedly early point in the competition.
Many have noted the Los Angeles Lakers’ resurgence, and they could be a force to be reckoned with, though the odds have them as slight outsiders. Expect to see strong showings from Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, and of course, the Knicks. As a summer full of transfers disappears into the rearview mirror, it’s time to see who will push on to triumph in this fascinating season of basketball. Let’s look at some of the Mountain West alumni with a chance of victory.
Neemias Queta, Boston Celtics
We’ve got to start with Neemias Queta, as the Celtics are heavily favored to make it back-to-back NBA titles. The talented alum of Utah State Aggies signed a long-term contract with the Boston Celtics in the summer, after a successful showing as a reserve in the 2023/24 season, and is the first Portuguese player ever to play in the NBA.
Commentators could have understood if the Celtics came out of the blocks a little slower this season after their emphatic performance during their championship run last postseason. But they went on as before, living up to their top billing as favorites for 2024/25, pummelling the Knicks to a massive 132-109 defeat, and making 29 threes on just 61 attempts, to tie an NBA record.
Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers
Playing at small forward for the Los Angeles Clippers, the Klaw is in line to lead the team alongside James Harden following the departure of Paul George, to keep them in playoff contention. The Clippers remain outsiders in terms of the championship, but Leonard, himself a San Diego State alum, is a crucial component of the West Coast side.
Leonard will be joined at the Clippers by Mountain West (Nevada) alum, and fellow small forward/power forward Derrick Jones Jr — nicknamed “Airplane Mode” because of his dunking ability— who joined from the Dallas Mavericks in the summer.
Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers
Nine-time NBA All-Star and six-time member of the All-NBA Team, Paul George joined the 76ers from the Clippers over the summer. The Olympic-winning small forward will be hoping to take home his first NBA ring with the 76ers, who, according to the latest NBA odds could be in with a sniff of the title this season.
George is an alumnus of Fresno State and lines up alongside fellow Mountain West alum Caleb Martin (Nevada) as the 76ers aim to get beyond the second round for the first time since 2001, despite their underwhelming start to the campaign.
Christian Wood, Los Angeles Lakers
Power forward Wood started strongly with the Lakers since joining in 2023, averaging 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds last season, before being sidelined for the last two months with a knee injury
that required two rounds of surgery. It remains to be seen how much match fitness he can carry into the season, but he’s part of a resurgent Lakers side hungry for a return to winning ways.
Wood played for the University of Las Vegas from 2013 to 2015: as a sophomore, he played in 33 games and averaged 15.7 points, 10 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game, earning first-team All-Mountain West honors.
Keshad Johnson, Miami Heat
Heat have started brightly, with two victories on the board already, and young power forward Keshad Johnson is the new boy on the block, having made the 2024 draft and signing a two-way contract in Miami over the summer. Miami Heat may not be heavily favored by the bookies, but with a young, enthusiastic side anything is possible, as they look to build on a strong start.
The 23-year-old San Diego alumnus averaged 7.7 points and five rebounds per game during his senior season, and opted to use the extra year of collegiate eligibility made available to those who played during the coronavirus pandemic to continue his college career.
It is still very early days in the NBA 2024/25 season. Can the Celtics make it two championships on the bounce? Will a Mountain West alum be among the winners? Only one way to find out.