After coaching a mostly veteran team for the last three seasons, Joe Mazzulla has a very different assignment this year. Following a chaotic offseason, the Boston Celtics head coach will oversee a much younger, less experienced group this year.
That includes rookie shooting guard Hugo Gonzalez, who was the Celtics’ first-round pick this year. Just 19, Gonzalez is the youngest player on Boston’s roster. The Madrid native is also getting used to the United States and American basketball after starting his professional career with Real Madrid.
After playing for the Celtics in Summer League, Gonzalez logged 18 minutes in Boston’s preseason opener against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. He came off the bench and helped the Celtics to a 121-103 victory, scoring eight points with three rebounds and an assist in 18 minutes.
Gonzalez also flashed his athleticism on the defensive end, making an impact there with three blocks and a steal.
Gonzalez has already made substantial progress for Boston, and he’s still trying to get better. He’s willing to learn and asked Mazzulla for pointers several times during Wednesday’s game.
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After the game, Mazzulla revealed what it’s been like coaching Gonzalez so far.
Joe Mazzulla on coaching Rookie Hugo Gonzalez:“He’s been coached by some great coaches & he’s been a part of a great organization for a long time, so he knows how to play. He’s smart…he holds himself to a high standard. So I enjoy coaching him”–@CLNSMedia | Q: @NoaDalzell pic.twitter.com/B0rzJHXezy
— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) October 9, 2025
“He’s been coached by some great coaches and he’s been a part of a great organization for a long time, so he knows how to play. He’s smart, he holds himself to a high standard,” Mazzulla said. “I enjoy coaching him because he listens, he wants to get better and learn and he pushes himself.
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Mazzulla added that he likes coaching Gonzalez because of his “personality and how he carries himself.”
Gonzalez is smart, driven, hard-working and eager to learn, making him an ideal player for a coach to work with. He’s already learned a lot since joining the Celtics, so they’re counting on him to keep growing and progressing this season.