Hugo González averaged just 5.5 points and 2.8 rebounds in four preseason games, but played with a competitiveness that drew the attention of Celtics coaches and teammates.
Hugo González averaged just 5.5 points and 2.8 rebounds in four preseason games, but played with a competitiveness that drew the attention of Celtics coaches and teammates.Brandon Dill/Associated Press
When the Celtics selected Hugo González with the 28th pick of last June’s draft, it was fair to wonder whether they planned to stash the 19-year-old Spaniard overseas for a year or two to further his development before entering the NBA.
But when president of basketball operations Brad Stevens sat on a podium at the Auerbach Center late that night, he quickly made it clear that was not the team’s intention.
“This guy has been around it at a high level, been coached really well,” Stevens said. “I think when you talk about years overall, yes, he’s young. But years of basketball experience, the things that we will think are important, it’s probably pretty high.”
And when the Celtics opened the preseason against the Grizzlies on Oct. 8, González showed what Stevens was talking about. Early in the fourth quarter, Memphis guard Javon Small broke free on a fast break and appeared to have a fairly simple path to a layup.
González charged in from behind, met Small in midair, and blocked his shot, one of three swats in just 18 minutes. He also added a powerful one-handed driving dunk. He certainly did not look out of place.
“He just knows how to play, knows how to be in the right position, and competes at a high level,” guard Derrick White said. “So ever since I’ve seen him, just constantly working hard, constantly asking questions, constantly learning, and you could tell that he’s been a pro for a while and played basketball at a high level for some time now. And I think he’s done a lot of good things for us in this preseason.”
HUG🚫🚫🚫 pic.twitter.com/3fIv5bkwJG
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 9, 2025
Attempts to definitively extract regular season meaning from preseason exhibitions can go sideways, but over the past few weeks it has become clear, at the very least, that González belongs at this level.
With an unproven bench and coach Joe Mazzulla’s stated desire to lean on the team’s depth this year, there appears to be a clear path to playing time for González.
“It’s been good,” González said. “It’s been obviously a different experience, but I think they did a great job with me in getting me to adapt quickly. I think that adaptation was quicker than expected. I just need to keep building from here.”
González is not a typical 19-year-old rookie, of course. Last season he came off the bench for Real Madrid, the European power that won the Spanish League title the night González was drafted.
That roster was filled with former NBA players, and González said he leaned on all of them for advice about this seemingly challenging transition.
The 6-foot-6 guard has mostly been in Boston since the Las Vegas summer league ended in late July.
“I had two months to get in the best shape possible as a rookie for competition,” González said. “It’s been great.”
Over four preseason games, González averaged 5.5 points and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 52.8 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from the 3-point line. His clearest path to playing time, though, will come in areas that are not always visible on a stat sheet.
The Celtics want him to pester opposing ball-handlers and deflect passes. They want him to crash in from the corners and battle for offensive rebounds. They want him to be a nuisance, which will be part of their general identity shift as they adjust to life with fewer high-scoring former All-Stars.
González said Mazzulla’s directives have been clear.
“Be relentless,” he said. “Bringing energy to the games, bringing energy to the practices, being a smart player like I showed in Europe. And just play my game, honestly. Like, I think I’m a good cutter, and if I’m open, shoot it. He’s bringing me a lot of confidence.”
González said he is open to getting reps with the team’s G League affiliate in Maine this year, but he already feels comfortable in an NBA system. He did acknowledge that one looming adjustment might present unique challenges, however.
“It’s only going to get colder here,” he said, smiling. “So, I probably need to [explore Boston] before cold is hitting me, because when cold is coming or snow is coming, I’m going to be at my house 24/7 probably. I’m not a snow guy.”
Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at adam.himmelsbach@globe.com. Follow him @adamhimmelsbach.