Celtics choose guard Hugo Gonzalez twenty eighth total in NBA Draft

Celtics

Gonzalez is 19 years old and played in the EuroLeague in 2024.

Trade rumors swirled regarding the Boston Celtics’ intentions in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. But Brad Stevens didn’t move up, staying at No. 28 overall and selecting guard Hugo Gonzalez out of the EuroLeague.

Gonzalez played for Real Madrid in 2024, the same team Luka Doncic and other high-profile stars developed before getting their shot in the NBA. Though Gonzalez doesn’t project as impactful as a player like Doncic, his experience playing in one of the toughest basketball leagues in the world could ease his NBA transition.

Gonzalez is 6-foot-6, 205 pounds. He has a similar profile to Austin Reeves (6-foot-5, 197), who developed into a starting-caliber guard for the Los Angeles Lakers. Gonzalez only averaged 11 minutes per game in the EuroLeague last season, but still drew praise from coach Chus Mateo early in the season.

“He has the potential to be great, and I’m certain of it,” Mateo said in October of 2024. “His time will come, and when it does, he will shine.”

Gonzales continues a trend of recent Celtics draft selections: positional size, defensive capabilities, and untapped potential. guards Jordan Walsh and Baylor Schierman, along with center Neemias Queta, all fit similar profiles before being taken by Boston.

The 2025-26 season is filled with uncertainty for the Celtics, who have already traded away a pair of their championship pieces in Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. NBA insiders have reported that Boston is at least listening to offers for both Jaylen Brown and Derrick White as well.

And with Jayson Tatum likely out for nearly the entire 2025-26 season, there could be plenty of minutes to go around for younger players. So Gonzalez could factor into Boston’s rotation sooner rather than later, though developing his jump shot to match Joe Mazzulla’s play style will be a priority in training camp.

With the selection of Gonzalez, Boston now has six guards on its roster: White, Anfernee Simons, Payton Pritchard, Schierman, Walsh, and Gonzalez. J.D. Davidson is a pending free agent.

The Celtics waited over two hours to make their selection on night one, but they won’t have to wait very long for their second-round pick. Boston is on the clock again at No. 32 overall shortly after the NBA Draft resumes on Thursday night.