The Boston Celtics took a home run swing with the 28th overall pick in this year's NBA Draft. They selected international man of mystery Hugo Gonzalez.
With Real Madrid, the 19-year-old wing shared a roster with 10 former NBA players. He averaged just 11 minutes per contest. Some games came and went without him playing.
However, the selfless nature that Gonzalez showed further encouraged the Celtics to draft him.
"It's really clear that he's about the team, and he accepts and is willing to play any role it takes," stated Brad Stevens the night his team chose Gonzalez. "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 got to invest every day just to take advantage of whatever opportunity you get."
The six-foot-six wing is in that same boat in Boston. Demonstrating a maturity beyond his years, he has already figured out how to make an impact despite inconsistent minutes.
Hugo Gonzalez is a defensive menace
After years of sharpening his craft within one of basketball's elite infrastructures at Real Madrid, Gonzalez has impressive defensive instincts. He also has a relentless motor. He brings an infectious infusion of energy every time he steps on the floor.
That combination, coupled with his size and six-foot-seven wingspan, has allowed him to earn the Celtics' trust immediately.
Joe Mazzulla will bring him in for a quick shift to help get stops and generate more transition opportunities. In his NBA debut, Boston's bench boss tasked Gonzalez with guarding Jalen Brunson. The rookie handled it well.
That earned him the start two days later against the Detroit Pistons. His assignment? Defend Cade Cunningham full court. Again, he held his own.
The Madrid native again made life difficult for Brunson in the Celtics' 123-117 win over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night at TD Garden. He also battled with Karl-Anthony Towns in the low post. It was an impressive display of his defensive versatility.
"Whenever we put Hugo in, he just did a good job of getting underneath him," said Mazzulla post-game. "Just kind of being physical with him."
That physicality is another staple of Gonzalez's. He plays with an edge. It's a trait that serves him well as a 19-year-old facing established NBA stars. The rookie doesn't back down. Instead, he takes the fight to the best players in the Association. How else should one meet that challenge?
Hugo's defense 📈 pic.twitter.com/OubanPbxDi
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 3, 2025
"Just feel the momentum of the game. What is asked of you, what your team is trusting you to do. You have a job, and you were capable of doing it. They're putting that trust in me. Putting that trust in a lot of guys here," voiced Gonzalez while discussing whether he enjoys playing defense after his performance on that end helped knock off the Knicks.
"Trying to contribute to winning is the truly great feeling."
It was a fitting response from a selfless player; an individual who is quickly proving to be the steal of the draft. And as his game grows at the offensive end of the floor, where his cutting and crashing are valued contributions, and he's letting threes fly with confidence, he can blossom into a rotation fixture and perhaps one day, become entrenched in the Celtics' starting lineup.