The Boston Celtics drafted Hugo Gonzalez in the first-round last year as a 19-year-old that has been playing professionally in Spain since he was 16-years-old. He is the fourth-youngest player for Real Madrid to play in the ACB.

Over the course of playing 74 games as a rookie in the regular season, the Celtics have a steady study of how he can best help the team moving forward. During the Summer League, head coach Amile Jefferson, who is an assistant for Boston, noticed that Gonzalez improved in all areas of his game. He also said that he is a “bigger guy” that can play physically.

“He’s a pro, and I think he’s actually just a bigger guy. You saw it last season, putting him on team’s five, play him one through five, just whoever the best player is, because he can not only be physical, but he’s very mobile.”

Last year, Gonzalez saw 14.6 minutes per game and averaged 3.9 points on 47.6% shooting from the field and 36.2% from behind the arc. He also finished with 3.3 rebounds, 0.5 assists, 0.6 stelas, and 0.3 blocks per game.

After the Celtics were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, Gonzalez joined the Spanish National Team to compete in the qualifiers for the 2027 FIBA World Cup. He averaged 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 47.1% from the field in 22.5 minutes per game.

Gonzalez parlayed an impressive outing in FIBA into an eye-opening Summer League for Boston. He averaged 18.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Although he struggled shooting (31.8% FG, 25.9% 3PT), he did all the other intangibles well and that’s what Boston needs the most from him.

The Celtics have high expectations for Gonzalez going into his second year and beyond. It was made apparent when Boston refused to include him in any trades this offseason.

Without Jaylen Brown, there is going to be an opportunity for Gonzalez to step in to produce for the Celtics.

Having a full NBA season under his belt to go right into a FIBA tournament before the start of Summer League at an uninterrupted pace is going to be invaluable for Gonzalez heading into his second NBA season at only 20-years-old.

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Photo Credit: Jesse D. Garrabrant, NBAE Getty Images