The Boston Celtics made their first pick of the 2025 NBA Draft and selected Hugo González in the first round at No. 28 on Wednesday night.
The 6-foot-6 wing out of Spain will be brought over to Boston by the Celtics rather than be a draft stash, a source told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. González averaged 3.1 points and 1.7 rebounds off the bench with Real Madrid this past season.
Here’s what those around the NBA are saying about the Celtics’ first and only pick of Round 1, as well as grades given.
New York Post
Intense, hard-nosed and physical wing who plays with max effort. He attacks the basket well, but will need to improve significantly from beyond the arc.
Grade: C
CBS Sports
Gonzalez had a big early reputation in the Real Madrid system. He’s a big wing with solid size and a high motor and defensive upside, especially on the ball. The defense is the intrigue here as his best offense is in transition. The shooting is the swing skill -- he shot just 29% last year. Boston shoots a lot of threes, so he’ll need to show improvement there to really stick with the Celtics.
Grade: B-
Bleacher Report
The Celtics now have some runway in front of them. Jayson Tatum’s Achilles tear cast a cloud of uncertainty over their 2025-26 campaign and subsequently led to the cost-cutting subtractions of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis.
Without so much win-now pressure on their shoulders, they just took one of draft’s more intriguing developmental projects in Hugo González.
Since floor time proved hard to come by for him in Spain, there are mystery-box elements at play here. His motor and physical tools should both translate to the NBA, but there are questions about what kind of shooter and shot-creator he’ll become.
He plays hard enough that it’s tempting to wager on him figuring everything out, but if he’s a space-killing non-shooter, that will make it far more difficult for him to navigate the NBA.
Grade: C+
Yahoo Sports
He fits nicely in the Celtics’ culture. He plays hard, but is more than a hustler and strong defender. He’s a high-motor wing with great defensive tools and a slashing style on offense. If his jumper and handle develop, he could be a versatile two-way starter, though he didn’t get a lot of playing time overseas.
Grade: A
Sports Illustrated
Gonzalez saw his stock fall throughout the year after failing to secure consistent playing time at Real Madrid, but a year ago at this time he was considered perhaps the best international player in this class. His motor is elite, as is his versatility on the defensive end. This is a strong buy-low bet for a Celtics team looking for value on affordable contracts.
Grade: A-
The Athletic
Sam Vecenie:
His quick reaction to what’s happening around him is awesome on defense, and I think he can play on that end of the court at an NBA level. Ultimately, it’s going to come down to his shooting. Can Gonzalez turn into an NBA shooter? That’s the swing skill here, as it is for many teenagers as they turn toward the highest level of competition. Given his work ethic and willingness to be coached, you want to buy into it. There’s also just not enough of a track record. I like him as a later first-round pick because if the shooting does come around, he’s almost certain to be useful as a rotational wing.
John Hollinger:
Gonzalez isn’t good enough yet offensively, but he’s a tough defender and a plus athlete at the wing position with a strong frame. If he can figure out the shooting and become a reliable offensive contributor, he has a chance to help the Celtics after Boston’s “gap year.”