Welcome Hugo Gonzalez

[Roy H.]

?When you?re that age in that situation,? Stevens said, ?you?ve gotta earn your stripes. When we went and took our team (to play Real Madrid) years ago in the preseason, we played against a 16-year-old (Luka) Dončić that hardly got in, right? So, Hugo?s a little bit older and I?m not comparing him to Dončić, but I will say it?s great when you get to play on those teams.?

Continuing, Stevens said putting on a Real Madrid jersey in Spain comes with a similar responsibility to putting on a Celtics jersey in the NBA.

?And I think that that?s a good thing,? Stevens said. ?When we interviewed Hugo a couple weeks ago on Zoom, it?s really clear that he?s about the team and he accepts and is willing to play any role it takes. That?s not a learned trait for everybody that?s in the draft because most of these guys have never sat. And with that comes a humility and also an understanding that you?ve gotta invest every day just to take advantage of whatever opportunity you get.?

?He?s played with adults for a long time. He?s playing on a team full of experienced former NBA players and high, high-level pros from all over the world,? said Stevens. ?This guy has been around it at a high level and been coached really well. When you talk about years overall, yes, he?s young. But years of basketball experience, the things that we think are important, it?s probably pretty high.?

Former Celtic Bruno Fernando, along with Dennis Smith Jr., Dzanan Musa, Facu Campazzo, Gabriel Deck, Mario Hezonja, Serge Ibaka, Usman Garuba, Edy Tavares, and Xavier Rathan-Mayes, all spent time with Real Madrid this season after playing in the NBA. Go back to 2023?24, and you can add Guerschon Yabusele ? ironically, the Celtics? last first-round pick who didn?t play college ball (2016) ? and Vincent Poirier to the list.

?He?s playing around a bunch of studs. Guys that have been old pros. They know how to play. They?re hard to beat out. They?re physical, tough, [and] smart,? said Stevens. ?Extremely well coached. When you are that age in that situation, you?ve got to earn your stripes.?

?We?ve been watching Hugo for a long time. He?s obviously been on everybody?s radar, I think, for a long time. [We] followed his year with a great Real Madrid organization and team closely and watched him in all the UA teams and those types of things, and [I?m] just a big fan of how he plays,? said Stevens. ?He?s tough. He?s hard-playing. He cuts. He goes after the ball. He competes. He?s got all the intangibles of a winning basketball player, and there are things he can get better at, just like everybody else at that age, but the competitiveness is at a high level.?

?We were really excited that Hugo was available at 28,? he said. ?Just a willingness to do sacrificial things, I guess. We talk about sacrificial cuts that open up opportunities for other people. We talk about sacrificial cuts that end up in you getting an offensive rebound. We talk about sacrificing your body on defense. We talk about competing on defense. Talk about flying back in transition and blocking a shot, catching up to a play. Those are the things that he?s willing to do that I like. He will become a better shooter, I believe that. We?ve got a good development program for that. So, you know, I?m excited about him.?

[Roy H.]

Grades:

Kevin O'Connor, Yahoo! Sports
Grade: A

"He fits nicely in the Celtics' culture. He plays hard, but is more than a hustler and strong defender. He?s a high-motor wing with great defensive tools and a slashing style on offense. If his jumper and handle develop, he could be a versatile two-way starter, though he didn't get a lot of playing time overseas."

Bryan Kalbrosky, For The Win
Grade: C+

"While this originally seemed like a potential draft-and-stash candidate for the Celtics, it?s possible that Spain?s González could come to the United States and play in the NBA as soon as next season. With the longest hands of anyone measured at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine and a wingspan nearly 6-foot-11, he has good physical skills, even if his play on the court is indeed somewhat inconsistent."

Kevin Sweeney, Sports Illustrated
Grade: A-

"Gonzalez saw his stock fall throughout the year after failing to secure consistent playing time at Real Madrid, but a year ago at this time he was considered perhaps the best international player in this class. His motor is elite, as is his versatility on the defensive end. This is a strong buy-low bet for a Celtics team looking for value on affordable contracts."

Adam Finkelstein, CBS Sports
Grade: B-

"Gonzalez had a big early reputation in the Real Madrid system. He's a big wing with solid size and a high motor and defensive upside, especially on the ball. The defense is the intrigue here as his best offense is in transition. The shooting is the swing skill -- he shot just 29% last year. Boston shoots a lot of threes, so he'll need to show improvement there to really stick with the Celtics."

Gilbert McGregor, Sporting News
Grade: B

"It's a transitional offseason for the Celtics, who have made several trades in the lead-up to the draft. They now add a pro with an NBA-ready game and frame.

"Gonzalez, 19, measures at 6-6 and 205 pounds and is coming off a championship season with Real Madrid. There is an opportunity for him to play right away in Boston with available minutes on the perimeter and he has similar strengths to another recent Celtics draft pick in Jordan Walsh."

J. Kyle Mann, The Ringer: B-


T.J. McConnell recently emphasized that playing hard is a skill, and although Gonzalez is significantly bigger and longer, he plays his ass off like a much less physically gifted player. The question is whether his struggles as a shooter will put a limit on his impact as an NBA player. For that reason, I'm a little cooler on Hugo's upside, but "winning organization adds tireless, toolsy wing" sounds like a formula that could pan out.

Kurt Helin, NBC Sports: B

A Real Madrid product, Gonzalez has good size and feel for the game as a center, and shows real promise as a defender, but the question is his shot. He hit just 29% from 3 last season (which is less than ideal in a Joe Mazzulla system). Gonzalez is seen as a bit of a project, and if he can develop a steady shot the rest of his game would fit well with the Celtics.

Jeff Zillgitt and Lorenzo Reyes, USA Today: B

At No. 28, Boston landed Spain's Hugo Gonzalez, who is one of Europe's top prospects. But he may not be ready to contribute immediately.

Sam Veccine, The Athletic

Ultimately, it's going to come down to his shooting. Can Gonzalez turn into an NBA shooter? That's the swing skill here, as it is for many teenagers as they turn toward the highest level of competition. Given his work ethic and willingness to be coached, you want to buy into it. There's also just not enough of a track record. I like him as a later first-round pick because if the shooting does come around, he's almost certain to be useful as a rotational wing. But I don't know if you can trust him to make shots at any sort of volume from 3, and things just move so fast for him on his drives that I worry about him being a true plus player on that end. 

John Hollinger, The Athletic

Gonzalez isn't good enough yet offensively, but he's a tough defender and a plus athlete at the wing position with a strong frame. If he can figure out the shooting and become a reliable offensive contributor, he has a chance to help the Celtics after Boston's "gap year."

[Vermont Green]

Add this up and you get "maybe".  Maybe he develops, maybe he doesn't.  It is the 28th pick, I am all for going for this kind of potential.  Ideally, he would agree to stash for a season or so, not sure how that will go.  I don't think a 2-way contract is an option for a first round pick.  If he is not quite ready to play regular minutes for Real Madrid, he is probably not ready to play for BOS, even for the "gap year" season.

[liam]

I think D White will be the perfect mentor for this kid. I'm very excited for the pick. He also pairs well with PP off the bench...


Hu Go Go Go!!!! Kid is fast!

[Celtics2021]

Kurt Helin, NBC Sports: B

A Real Madrid product, Gonzalez has good size and feel for the game as a center, and shows real promise as a defender, but the question is his shot. He hit just 29% from 3 last season (which is less than ideal in a Joe Mazzulla system). Gonzalez is seen as a bit of a project, and if he can develop a steady shot the rest of his game would fit well with the Celtics.

Jeff Zillgitt and Lorenzo Reyes, USA Today: B

At No. 28, Boston landed Spain's Hugo Gonzalez, who is one of Europe's top prospects. But he may not be ready to contribute immediately.

As a center?  What was Kurt Helin trying to say there?

[jambr380]

Kurt Helin, NBC Sports: B

A Real Madrid product, Gonzalez has good size and feel for the game as a center, and shows real promise as a defender, but the question is his shot. He hit just 29% from 3 last season (which is less than ideal in a Joe Mazzulla system). Gonzalez is seen as a bit of a project, and if he can develop a steady shot the rest of his game would fit well with the Celtics.

Jeff Zillgitt and Lorenzo Reyes, USA Today: B

At No. 28, Boston landed Spain's Hugo Gonzalez, who is one of Europe's top prospects. But he may not be ready to contribute immediately.

As a center?  What was Kurt Helin trying to say there?

I think he just made a mistake. He obviously doesn't have good size for a Center.

As for Hugo as a player, I like that they are going for a high upside player who was previously thought of as a lottery pick. And even in this draft, he was generally rated above where we got him. I know he didn't get much experience playing for Real Madrid, but that is a real legit team. He should be better prepared to come to the NBA than other guys in his range. And he is only 19

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I didn't know this. He had the biggest hands in the draft. He's 6'6.25" barefoot, which means he's a full inch taller than Brown barefoot and his playing height would be close to 6'8". Wingspan is at 6'10.75" and he's already a healthy 220 pounds.

He's kinda' got a grown man's body.

His lane agility was also good - top 20 of all participants. But I think you have to remember that a lot of European prospects aren't used to the athletic testing the same way American prospects grow up with it.

Listening to Stevens post-draft presser and Stevens talked really, really glowingly about him. Like, he was very measured, but hopeful about Scheierman last year, but he obviously thinks Hugo is a good basketball player right now. Stevens talked about how he made unselfish plays - sacrificial cuts to open the floor for other teammates, or offensive rebounds, or sacrificing his body on defense.

I'm ready to cheer for a guy like this.

[tonydelk]

Hugo is bigger then I expected.  Not height wise but thickness.  He was never on my radar because every mock draft I saw had him going 5-7 picks before the C's.  If you look at his highlights he has decent form.  Jordan Walsh wasn't a shooter either but he has a very awkward shot.  Hugo doesn't.  The C's need more energy and length.  Teams like Orlando and Indy really give them trouble because the C's are more of a finesse team and those teams have high energy and effort players.  Nesmith is a great example.  Hopefully Hugo can make the same type of impact on the boards, defensively and finishing at the rim.  His outside shot puts him in starter territory.  Even if he can become a 36% 3pt shooter it will open up things for him.

[Goldstar88]

Fire Brad. 

[perks-a-beast]

Apparently Gonzalez had an offer to play at BYU. I suspect he turned it down out of fear of being exposed at the collegiate level. He looked okay playing in small doses in Real Madrid against older and slower players, but I think his deficiencies would have been really glaring in D1 in a good conference.
- For a guy who people claim is a good defender, he doesn?t move laterally well and gets blown by a lot. Slim chance he can guard 1?s and 2?s effectively at the next level.
- Panics and forced shots shots in traffic far too often
- Consistently misses open 3?s, bad mechanics.
- Hasn?t really shown any promise as a creator
- Major tunnel vision as a passer
- People claim what sets him apart is is motor and the fact he plays hard. Who cares? There are 30-40 guys in any given draft you can say that about.

In my mock I had him going 36th to Brooklyn but honestly felt even that was too high for him.

Guys left on the board who I think are significantly better prospects:
Maxime Raynaud
Adou Thiero
Ryan Kalkbrenner
Noah Penda
Alijah Martin
Kam Jones
Jamir Watkins

Im obviously a big admirer of Brad Stevens but this is an awful awful pick and he has yet to prove he is a good identifier of talent in the draft. We have no bigs and he just drafted another (probably less athletically gifted) Jordan Walsh.

Sorry to rant but I havent been this angry over a pick since Romeo Langford.

I expect to see Gonzalez in the summer league and in Maine (MAYBE in garbage time blow out) but thats it.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Apparently Gonzalez had an offer to play at BYU. I suspect he turned it down out of fear of being exposed at the collegiate level. He looked okay playing in small doses in Real Madrid against older and slower players, but I think his deficiencies would have been really glaring in D1 in a good conference.
- For a guy who people claim is a good defender, he doesn?t move laterally well and gets blown by a lot. Slim chance he can guard 1?s and 2?s effectively at the next level.
- Panics and forced shots shots in traffic far too often
- Consistently misses open 3?s, bad mechanics.
- Hasn?t really shown any promise as a creator
- Major tunnel vision as a passer
- People claim what sets him apart is is motor and the fact he plays hard. Who cares? There are 30-40 guys in any given draft you can say that about.

In my mock I had him going 36th to Brooklyn but honestly felt even that was too high for him.

Guys left on the board who I think are significantly better prospects:
Maxime Raynaud
Adou Thiero
Ryan Kalkbrenner
Noah Penda
Alijah Martin
Kam Jones
Jamir Watkins

Im obviously a big admirer of Brad Stevens but this is an awful awful pick and he has yet to prove he is a good identifier of talent in the draft. We have no bigs and he just drafted another (probably less athletically gifted) Jordan Walsh.

Sorry to rant but I havent been this angry over a pick since Romeo Langford.

So much of what you just said is directly opposite of what most scouts say about him. "Scared" of being exposed - he played against tougher competition for Real Madrid than Igor did at BYU. Not worth arguing about with you though.

Just needlessly negative.

[Donoghus]

Saw something this morning where like 9 guys on Real Madrid's roster have NBA experience. 

[Kuberski33]

For what its worth Scalabrine liked the pick a lot. He repeatedly referenced cutting which he says is becoming more and more important in the NBA and something he felt was non-existent with the C's last season. Was he channeling a conversation with Brad? Maybe (hopefully) we'll see an adjustment in their offensive scheme this year vs launching 50+ 3's per game.

The fact that he shoots 77% Ft's tells me he can impove his 3 point shooting. The C's are big on development so hopefully that bodes well. The kid's 19 and Brad has to project what he'll be like at 25-26. That's just not easy - especially for all the 'experts' like O'Connor etc who've never played or coached the sport at a high level.

We'll see.  In Brad we trust. I also think this pick means Jordan Walsh is officially on notice that he either needs to step things up quickly or he won't be around much longer. It's gonna be put or or shut up time for him come training camp.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Saw something this morning where like 9 guys on Real Madrid's roster have NBA experience.

And now there is 10

[perks-a-beast]

Apparently Gonzalez had an offer to play at BYU. I suspect he turned it down out of fear of being exposed at the collegiate level. He looked okay playing in small doses in Real Madrid against older and slower players, but I think his deficiencies would have been really glaring in D1 in a good conference.
- For a guy who people claim is a good defender, he doesn?t move laterally well and gets blown by a lot. Slim chance he can guard 1?s and 2?s effectively at the next level.
- Panics and forced shots shots in traffic far too often
- Consistently misses open 3?s, bad mechanics.
- Hasn?t really shown any promise as a creator
- Major tunnel vision as a passer
- People claim what sets him apart is is motor and the fact he plays hard. Who cares? There are 30-40 guys in any given draft you can say that about.

In my mock I had him going 36th to Brooklyn but honestly felt even that was too high for him.

Guys left on the board who I think are significantly better prospects:
Maxime Raynaud
Adou Thiero
Ryan Kalkbrenner
Noah Penda
Alijah Martin
Kam Jones
Jamir Watkins

Im obviously a big admirer of Brad Stevens but this is an awful awful pick and he has yet to prove he is a good identifier of talent in the draft. We have no bigs and he just drafted another (probably less athletically gifted) Jordan Walsh.

Sorry to rant but I havent been this angry over a pick since Romeo Langford.

So much of what you just said is directly opposite of what most scouts say about him. "Scared" of being exposed - he played against tougher competition for Real Madrid than Igor did at BYU. Not worth arguing about with you though.

Just needlessly negative.

Playing at BYU would have been great exposure for him. Why would he choose to stay overseas to play 10 minutes a game, potentially costing himself millions? I think he knew he wasnt ready to step into a position at BYU where he would likely be relied on to play 25-30 minutes a game.

Also, I think Im justified in questioning his quote unquote great defense. To his credit, I do see him block a lot of shots in highlights - but usually after he is blown by. Doesnt look to have the hip flexibility to stay in front of guys even in that league - what happens in the NBA?

Dont really feel like Im usually ?needlessly negative? - Ill be the first to praise Stevens when I feel he does something good. But also going to call out his blunders when needed. And imo this is a big blunder, especially with NBA ready players still on the board.

Not only do I think guys like Raynaud and Fleming are better prospects and team fits, I think they are more NBA ready and could probably step in and contribute right away. Gonzalez looks years away from being years away, if hes even that.