After Hugo Gonzalez, Celtics could repeat draft strategy with rising Euro star

The Boston Celtics utilized the 28th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft to select international man of mystery, Hugo Gonzalez. He went from being a 19-year-old wing averaging just 11 minutes for Real Madrid to establishing himself as a player that Brad Stevens sees as an important part of the team's future.

"The reality is, Hugo had a great rookie year, and is, I think, a critical part of us moving forward because his athleticism can meet the moment in the big games. That's a real thing. You can see it. You know it," said Stevens at his end-of-season press conference. "His strength is off the charts. He's probably the strongest -- he's one of the strongest guys on our team right now, pound-for-pound, as a 20-year-old. So, he's got a bright future." 

Now, as the Celtics figure out how to best utilize the 27th overall pick in this year's draft, they could again look to Liga ACB for the answer. That's where Sergio De Larrea showcased his two-way talents on a Valencia team that finished second in the standings to Gonzalez's former club, Real Madrid.

To get a feel for De Larrea's game, this author studied him in a EuroLeague competition against Partizan Mozzart Bet. The motivation for watching him in that matchup was his playing time. He logged 18:36, the second-most in a Liga ACB tilt this season. Secondly, it took place late in the campaign. For a mini-scouting report, it was best to avoid what could be an outdated choice.

The other contest put under the microscope was seeing how De Larrea fared in this year's Copa del Rey semifinals against Real Madrid.

After watching those two matchups, here's a mini-scouting report on an intriguing option for the Celtics when they come on the clock to make their first-round selection.

Sergio De Larrea's offensive profile

The 20-year-old averaged 9.7 points and 3.7 assists in 18.3 minutes of floor time across 28 appearances in Liga ACB this season. He also knocked down 40.7 percent of his 3.3 attempts from beyond the arc.

What stands out is his feel for the game. He sees the floor well, and he's decisive. De Larrea is comfortable initiating the offense, and he keeps his head up while dribbling.

A prime example of the latter occurred when he saw that former NBA center Usman Garuba wasn't back to protect the rim. The young Spaniard attacked in transition, showing off his handles, as he made his way to the basket for a two-handed dunk.

And when De Larrea is orchestrating the offense, the ball doesn't stick in his hands. Instead, he's active and makes quick decisions.

As far as his shooting goes, his conversion rates tell the story. Not only did he connect on over 40 percent of his three-point attempts, but De Larrea made 83.3 percent of his free throws in Liga ACB. He's a dynamic talent who can function as a playmaking guard and a catch-and-shoot threat.

Currently, it feels like there's a premium placed on winning the possession battle, or at least it gets discussed more than ever. De Larrea consistently crashes the offensive glass. He does a good job of reading where missed shots will land. That suggests he can make an impact, generating second-chance opportunities. That was a vital part of Boston's offensive success last season. The Celtics' emphasis on that doesn't figure to change.

Lastly, it was intriguing to see when Valencia utilized him as an on-ball screener in the pick-and-roll. Gonzalez is bigger and plays with more of an edge, but at six-foot-five, De Larrea's size and skillset could yield positive results when he gets the ball rolling to the rim with a numbers advantage. The same goes for having him pop out behind the three-point line after he sets the screen, or sending him directly into an off-ball action.

Sergio De Larrea's defensive profile

Valencia's first-round prospect in this year's NBA Draft has a six-foot-nine wingspan. He utilizes that length as an active help defender who does a good job of playing passing lanes.

That includes when Facu Campazzo, a Liga ACB MVP and former NBA point guard, saw him approaching late in the shot clock and tried to deliver a no-look pass as De Larrea left his man. However, Campazzo failed to get it past the outstretched arm of the long-limbed 20-year-old who turned it into a pick-six.

His length also helps him on the ball vs. faster guards as they drive downhill. To that point about defending players who are quicker than him, he will get punished against NBA athletes if he doesn't close out under control. It was hardly an issue in these two tilts, but that reality still came across.

In a moment that captured De Larrea's moxy, he tried to draw a charge attempt on Real Madrid center Edy Tavares with Valencia leading by 10 and five minutes left in the game. He embellished the contact a bit, and he didn't need to do it, but he took a hit from a much larger individual to try to make a play for his team.

That spoke to his grit and competitiveness, two traits his NBA franchise will love.

Is Sergio De Larrea a fit for the Celtics?

Yes. The 20-year-old prospect is a playmaking guard, an effective catch-and-shoot option from beyond the arc, and someone who reads the game well.

There's a lot to like about what he brings to the table at both ends of the floor. That includes the ability to create turnovers with his length. Boston could use a boost in that department. Generating more transition points would also help with their goal of putting more pressure on the rim offensively.

Last month, he earned the Best Young Player of the 2025–26 Liga Endesa Regular Season Award. De Larrea did so by historic margins, doubling the score of runner-up Michael Ruzic.

Given how crowded the wing spot is on their depth chart, the Celtics might view him as redundant. However, his ability to orchestrate the offense makes for a clear distinction between him and some of his competition at that spot. It's why, if he's available, they may see this as another chance to add a young, dynamic talent with an impressive pedigree and a high basketball IQ.

There's a legitimate chance that De Larrea's still on the board when it's Boston's turn to pick. If so, he warrants serious consideration.

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