Hugo González is picking up right where he left off after his rookie season with the Boston Celtics, and his progress isn’t going unnoticed this summer.
González logged his final Summer League appearance this past Wednesday against the Sacramento Kings and his finale ended up being his best performance in Las Vegas. González scored a game-high 24 points while tallying 10 rebounds and five assists in Boston’s 82-76 victory.
Those around the organization aren’t surprised by González’s offseason growth, which began well before the Celtics reconvened for their final games in Las Vegas.
“He’s a pro,” Celtics assistant Amile Jefferson told reporters Saturday, per CLNS Media, “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 season, he quickly established himself as one of Boston’s most elite defensive threats. González tackled every assignment thrown at him — including 6-foot-11 Giannis Antetokounmpo in March — and didn’t disappoint. Mindful of his role approaching what’ll be a major opportunity for the second-year pro, González emphasized his strength.
Returning to the court for competition began early for González this summer. He joined the Spanish national team and suited up during the FIBA qualifying battles in July, scoring 16 points against Denmark. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla even made the trip down to pay González a visit and catch a glimpse of the results of González’s offseason work in live action.
González finished 13th in All-Rookie voting for the league’s rookie class with five votes for the Second Team. And while his scoring wasn’t up to par with the likes of fellow newcomers Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and V. J. Edgecombe, González remained as impactful as any other rookie — and for a Celtics team that won 56 games and secured a No. 2 seed finish in the Eastern Conference.
Reports suggested González’s value within the organization became evident in Boston’s trade discussions with the Milwaukee Bucks centered around Giannis, as Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens refused to include González (and more) in the team’s offer for the Greek Freak.
So this upcoming season, the bar is raised for last summer’s first-round selection (28th overall).
“In the summer, I think he’s worked on all facets of his game,” Jefferson continued. “That’s on and off the court, and that has to do with his body. So I think everyone has seen his improvements.”
González averaged 3.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists with 0.6 steals and 0.3 blocks in 14.6 minutes off the bench last season for Boston. Those figures did no justice to González’s impact as a sparkplug, always ready to uplift the team’s energy at any given moment.
Teammates and coaches quickly formed a positive impression of the youngster, and it only improved as the season progressed.
That began during training camp when Jordan Walsh and Baylor Scheierman spoke highly of González, highlighting his work ethic for a then-first-year pro.
For González, shot efficiency is the most notable need for improvement. He shot 36 percent from 3-point range last season and often struggled to create his own offense off the dribble. This upcoming season, with Jaylen Brown gone and a greater need for depth contribution all across the board from the roster, González will need to take a significant leap with 74 NBA appearances already under his belt.
He’s also gotten started on building the team’s morale amid its 3-2 Summer League run.
“He’s one of the loudest guys in the room, if not the loudest,” guard John Tonje added, per CLNS Media. “He brings a lot of energy. He’s fun, he’s fun to be around, especially during the World Cup. Spain has been doing well, so he’s talking a lot.”
Safe to say González will have his eyes glued on Sunday’s matchup with the team officially done with Las Vegas, rooting against Lionel Messi.
Just a guess.
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