"Gonzalez will benefit from the Celtics having less depth this season than they have the past few years. Since the Celtics partially dismantled their championship core this offseason, and given Jayson Tatum's injury, there are more opportunities for young players and other Celtics stuck in smaller roles. Gonzalez's experience playing professional basketball overseas as a younger player doesn't hurt either. Many past players from Spain and elsewhere in Europe have quickly acclimated to the NBA environment."
"While Gonzalez will still need refining in many areas of his game throughout 2025, his length and defensive abilities could become an asset for Boston, which prides itself on intense defense across all five spots on the court. So even if Gonzalez's shooting struggles limit his scoring ability early on, he could still carve out a role for himself in 2025-26."
""He's relentless, so I like that about him," Pritchard said of Gonzalez. "He comes in and he seems fearless, and he's a really good athlete. He's ready to go in and pick up ... he needs that confidence, that relentless, fearless type of composure.""
Training camp is ending and the Celtics prepare to open the 2025-26 season. Rookie guard Hugo Gonzalez, 19, impressed in four exhibition games with highlight plays as a scorer and facilitator. Payton Pritchard praised Gonzalez as relentless, fearless and a good athlete who needs confidence and composure. Boston's reduced depth after offseason changes and Jayson Tatum's injury creates more rotation opportunities for young players. Gonzalez's European professional experience should help his transition to the NBA. His length and defensive skills align with Boston's defensive identity and could secure a role even if shooting remains inconsistent. Pritchard, Derrick White and Anfernee Simons project for major minutes.
Read at Boston.com
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