The Celtics have officially signed first-round draft pick Hugo Gonzalez, the team announced today in a press statement.
Gonzalez, a 6’6″ wing formerly with Real Madrid, was selected with the No. 28 pick at the end of the first round last Wednesday. On Monday, Real Madrid announced in its own press release that it had officially parted with Gonzalez, clearing the way for him to sign with Boston.
The Celtics noted in their statement that Gonzalez is the first Spanish player ever drafted by the 18-time world champs.
Gonzalez appeared in 69 total games for Real Madrid in 2024/25, splitting those tilts between the Spanish ACB league (Liga ACB), the Spanish Cup and the EuroLeague.
In 29 Spanish ACB league outings last season, the 19-year-old averaged 5.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists. He’s not much of a long-range shooter yet, as he’s averaging just 27.1% on 1.1 three-point attempts per game across his three Real Madrid seasons.
If Gonzalez signs for the full 120% of his rookie scale amount, he’d make $2.83MM in year one and $14.3MM over the life of his four-year contract. However, it’s worth noting that Boston had been hoping to find a player at No. 28 who was willing to accept less than that maximum allowable 120% for cap reasons. Gonzalez may not have agreed to do so, but until we get the official numbers, it may be premature to lock in his salary figures.
Be a fan favourite in time, plays hard.
He isn’t the first Spanish to play for the C’s. Juancho Hernangómez played for the Celtics in the 2021-22 year.
Yeah that was worded wrong, it’s been fixed, thanks.