Hugo Gonzalez just gave fans reason to worry (but even more to be excited about)

Last month, the Boston Celtics selected Real Madrid’s Hugo Gonzalez 28th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. Gonzalez, who didn’t see much time at Real last season, was a bit of a mystery to most fans. Draft experts had emphasized his high motor and feel for the game, while warning of his lack of a consistent jump shot.

The Celtics community got their first sneak peek of the 19-year-old at the Las Vegas Summer League. He came as advertised. Regardless of how the game was treating him, he brought everything he had.  It was evident from the very first play.

The first-round pick made things difficult for the players he defended each time down the floor, refusing to give them space. He epitomized the guy at the pick-up runs who tries just a little bit too hard for the level of competition. He crashed the glass and showed off his extreme motor, grabbing an ample amount of rebounds for a guy his size. Plus, he showed some promise as a ballhandler and remained mostly unfazed when defenders pressured him near halfcourt.

Where can Hugo Gonzalez grow his game the most?

His heart and determination gave fans a clear glimpse at the vision for Gonzalez, even if it was maybe a little too much at times.

It wasn’t hard to see where there is still room for growth with the 19-year-old. While his effort is certainly not the issue, he gets a bit over-eager at times, especially on defense. Hugo has a knack for selling out for jumping passes that he’s got no real chance at getting, leaving the rest of the team playing 5-on-4 defensively.

He’s also going to have to become a more consistent shooter if he wants to earn a spot in Joe Mazzulla’s rotation. Gonzalez wasn’t shy when he was open from beyond the arc, firing up just under six attempts per game. He just didn’t really make them, at least not consistently. The Spaniard was either hot or cold from deep. He had two games where he shot 50% or better, and then two where he shot 14.3%, which resulted in a 30.4% clip at summer league as a whole.

Even from inside the arc, he wasn’t as efficient as he would’ve liked. Offense will be a huge focal point for Gonzalez, without a doubt.

What was perhaps the most impressive was his confidence. Regardless of how things were going for Hugo, he didn’t shy away when the ball found him in big moments.

For example, Gonzo struggled in Boston’s game against the Miami Heat. He was cold shooting all afternoon, yet, scored five big points in the fourth quarter when the game was tight. He sank a triple to give the Cs a lead, then created an extra possession on the offensive glass and converted a putback layup.

In four summer league appearances, Gonzalez averaged 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 30.2% from the field and 30.4% from beyond the arc.

While he’s a bit raw, the rookie has plenty of good skills as well as the drive and mentality to improve. Perhaps his most memorable moment in Vegas was his visceral reaction to missing four of five free-throw attempts in the opener. His emotions were consistently on full display, which stems from his desire to be great.

“When I look at my career 30 years away, I hope I can say, or at least I can think, that I did everything in my hands to be the best player I can be,” he told Hardwood Houdini’s Jack Simone last week.