The Boston Celtics bet on the value of professional experience when they selected former Real Madrid wing Hugo Gonzalez at No. 28 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. Gonzalez was named to the 2024-25 All-Liga ACB Young Players Team, and made his Real Madrid debut at just 16 years of age.
With uncertainty nevertheless persisting in regard to the immediate value he'd be able to provide to a team in need of depth, however, it was unclear if he could contribute as a rookie. Turns out, he can.
Gonzalez has appeared in 26 of the Celtics' 31 games this season, playing an average of 14.8 minutes per contest. There's been an inevitable learning curve, with Gonzalez averaging just 2.6 points in 11.8 minutes per outing through Dec. 2.
Since that date, however, Gonzalez has looked like an almost entirely different player, producing in ways he didn't previously seem ready to.
Since Dec. 3, Gonzalez is averaging 7.3 points and 5.2 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game. He's scored at least 10 points in four of his 10 appearances, and had a pair of double-digit rebounding performances along the way.
Gonzalez hasn't yet achieved offensive consistency, but if December has proven anything, it's that the Celtics have struck gold with a late first-round pick that's paying early dividends.
Hugo Gonzalez quietly turned a corner for Celtics in December
Boston has gone 4-1 when Gonzalez has recorded at least 10 points or 10 rebounds in December. It's been an admittedly strong month for the team overall, but it's noteworthy nevertheless that he's found a way to contribute to Boston's success.
That's reflected rather remarkably in the fact that the Celtics have outscored opponents by 22.1 points per 100 possessions when Gonzalez has been on the court in December.
Gonzalez has not only made the team better, but helped the top players on the roster. Jaylen Brown, for instance, is averaging 7.2 more points per 75 possessions and shooting 6.9 percent better from beyond the arc in 131 minutes with Gonzalez on the court compared to the 812 he's played without him.
The true definitive element of Gonzalez's success, however, has been the fact that he's already emerging as one of the best defenders in the NBA—rookie or otherwise.
Gonzalez currently ranks in the 88th percentile in perimeter isolation defense, the 86th percentile in pickpocket rating, and the 79th percentile in passing lane defense, per Basketball Index. He's been tenacious from the opening tip, utilizing his 6'10.75" wingspan to be disruptive both on and away from the ball.
Gonzalez even ranks in the 82nd percentile in rim disruption, which further explains why Boston allows 14.0 fewer points per 100 possessions when he's on the court.
With Gonzalez's offensive game seemingly coming along, his defense can now be featured more steadily in the rotation. He's shooting 39.4 percent on catch-and-shoot threes, displaying more confidence with the ball in his hands, and proving to be anything but a mismatch for veterans to exploit.
It's difficult to get too excited about the 28th pick before their rookie season, but Gonzalez is the epitome of unexpected gold for a Celtics team on the rise.