Boston Celtics 19-year-old rookie Hugo González has arrived. González showed plenty of flashes of talent early in the season, but his recent string of games — which has featured multiple double-doubles — has announced beyond a reasonable doubt that Hugo belongs on this stage.

Hugo’s play has garnered praise from teammates, fans, and analysts alike. Stan Van Gundy admitted early on in the NBA season that he was “falling in love” with González. Celtics center Neemias Queta recently praised the rookie.

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons has also been high on González, but Simmons’ recent Hugo post to X was especially notable, not to mention hilarious.

Simmons posted a joke mock re-draft, in which he said he’d select González with the No. 1 overall pick, followed by Hugo again with the No. 6 pick.

González’s contributions as a rookie actually come close to making Simmons’ post seem completely serious. Although guys like Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and VJ Edgecombe are head-and-shoulders above Hugo in terms of the Rookie of the Year race, a lot of that comes down to minutes and usage.

Knueppel has already become a first-option-type scorer for the Hornets, and he’s starting every game. Same goes for Flagg. While Hugo isn’t that type of scorer or player, his impact on winning is still immense. There’s a reason that González has the best total plus/minus number among NBA rookies right now, and it’s not just because the Celtics are a better club than the Hornets and Mavs of the world.

González has been good for the Celtics even when the team is struggling. A big example of this came on Monday night when Hugo led a Boston bench mob comeback against the Indiana Pacers. After Joe Mazzulla benched Boston’s starters in the second half, González led the charge, and the Celts ended up coming back from 20 down to win the game.

The future is blindingly bright for Hugo, and the Celtics obviously made a stellar decision to draft the Spaniard out of Real Madrid. Credit to Brad Stevens .

The Boston Celtics earned their second-straight win on Saturday night against the Toronto Raptors, and with Jaylen Brown missing this game, several players had to step up for the C’s. One player who delivered the best performance of his young career was first-round rookie Hugo Gonzalez.

Coming off the bench, Gonzalez earned the first double-double of his young career, as he dropped 10 points and hauled in 10 rebounds, while also nabbing a pair of steals and blocking one shot. When all was said and done, Gonzalez registered a mind-boggling plus/minus of +37 during his 28 minutes on the floor.

Gonzalez drew some comparisons to Luka Doncic coming out of the draft, as both guys spent time playing for Real Madrid in Spain before finding their way to the NBA. Gonzalez doesn’t necessarily have a strong relationship with Doncic, but he admitted the Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar has been someone for him to look up to as he transitions to the NBA.

“For us in Madrid specifically, he’s just a legend,” Gonzalez said of Doncic on “View From the Rafters.” “He’s what you would like to be in a perfect world, you can’t even imagine what he’s doing right now … Every single guy that works in the (Real Madrid) Academy works to be like Luka and follow his way. (He’s) a role model to follow.

He’s come to some of (Real Madrid’s) games. We’ve talked some at some point. Not a relationship, but he has made an impression (on me), and I’ve been able to talk with him sometimes.”

For those who aren’t paying attention to Doncic, he’s putting together arguably the best season of his career, as he’s averaging 34.1 points, 8.8 assists and 8.6 rebounds per game for the Lakers this season. If Gonzalez comes anywhere close to reaching that level of production, Boston would be thrilled.

The early returns on Gonzalez are encouraging, and with Doncic outlining the blueprint for success in the NBA, he should only continue to grow with the C’s. Boston will be back in action on Monday night, as it will square off against the Indiana Pacers.

Hugo González has made quite an impression on Boston Celtics fans and the rest of the NBA during his rookie season.

It’s becoming obvious that Hugo’s teammates on the Celtics love him too; how could they not? González plays with a fiery intensity, fearlessness, and desire to win that reminds you what sports are all about.

On Monday, Celtics center Neemias Queta became the latest player to heap praise upon González.

“I knew a couple of people at Real Madrid … that’s all they (raved) about, how hard he can play,” Queta said on Monday. “I’ve been familiar to a little bit of the stuff that he had going on, but it’s amazing to see it live.”

Celtics fans are still getting to know González and learning the teenager’s backstory to becoming a first-round pick.

Born in February 2006 in Madrid, Spain, González emerged as one of Europe’s top young talents through Real Madrid’s renowned youth system. Joining the club at age nine, he quickly rose, debuting professionally in the Liga ACB at just 16 in October 2022, becoming one of the youngest players in Real Madrid history. He excelled in junior competitions, leading Real Madrid U18 to back-to-back Adidas Next Generation Tournament titles in 2023 and 2024, earning MVP honors in the latter.

On the international stage, González contributed to Spain’s silver medals at the 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup and subsequent youth events. In February 2025, he debuted for Spain’s senior national team, scoring 11 points in a EuroBasket qualifier.

Selected 28th overall by the Boston Celtics in the June 2025 NBA Draft, González participated in Summer League before making his regular-season debut. His rookie year has featured fluctuating minutes, with a first career start in October and a breakout performance on December 20, against Toronto, posting his initial double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) in a Celtics victory.

González, Queta, and the rest of the 17-11 Celtics will continue their season on Monday evening when they host the 6-22 Indiana Pacers at TD Garden. Boston will be going for its third-straight victory.