Thankfully, the start of training camp around the Association is on the horizon. As it nears, the Boston Celtics released a video on social media that included a message from Brad Stevens to the team's 2025 draft class.
"The message here with those guys is real simple: give it your very all. If other things get in the way of that, then it's a tough league," stated the franchise's president of basketball operations.
"You always dream about getting to the NBA. But when it actually happens..."
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) September 18, 2025
Next Up, an all-new behind the scenes rookie series, drops soon on Celtics YouTube 👀 pic.twitter.com/1zVmrvXSTa
Reaching the NBA may bring more of those distractions than ever. For Boston's first-round pick, Hugo Gonzalez, there's also the process of acclimating to a new country. At 19 years old, his newfound independence could foster growth on and off the court. That's not to say it doesn't come with challenges, though.
Celtics fans must be patient with Hugo Gonzalez
Fans must maintain realistic expectations for the former Real Madrid wing. He's coming from a dramatically different playstyle in the ACB. The learning curve is steep for him. That was apparent at Summer League. There were times, especially in the beginning, when one could tell that his head was spinning.
Furthermore, the Celtics were smart to take a home-run swing at the end of the first round. That's exactly what drafting Gonzalez represented. His playing time was inconsistent. The six-foot-six wing averaged 11 minutes in 62 games last season. That speaks to his status as a raw prospect.
There will be growing pains for Gonzalez. It also would not come as a surprise if he spends time honing his craft with the organization's G League affiliate in Maine. But his work ethic, determination, and desire not to look back on his career with regret will endear him to Celtics fans. It's also a reason to invest in the rookie building a successful NBA career.
As for Boston's second-round selections, Max Shulga and Amari Williams, the duo defied the odds to reach basketball's highest level. The former was once on the outside of Utah State's rotation. From there, he blossomed into a leader and the Atlantic-10 Player of the Year after transferring to Virginia Commonwealth University.
Williams is among the rare group of individuals who reached the NBA from England. The seven-foot center has an intriguing skill set that his new team hopes to help cultivate. Like Shulga, he projects to spend much of his time in Maine this season. However, he has the tools to become a meaningful part of Boston's future depth charts at the five spot. The lesson from Shulga's basketball journey is not to count him out of becoming a rotation player with the Celtics, either.