Celtics Selected ‘One Of Biggest Steals,’ NBA Draft Expert Says
One of the premier NBA draft analysts is a big fan of the Boston Celtics’ first-round selection.
ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony praised Brad Stevens and company after the Celtics drafted Hugo Gonzalez with the 28th overall pick. The 19-year-old wing played the 2024-25 campaign with Real Madrid (Madrid, Spain).
“I love this pick for the Boston Celtics,” Givony said on the ESPN broadcast Wednesday night.
Stevens confirmed Gonzalez will be brought to Boston immediately rather than spending the upcoming campaign as a draft-and-stash prospect.
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“NBA teams love the intensity and frenetic energy that Hugo Gonzalez brings every moment he’s on the court,” Givony said, referencing Denver Nuggets’ Christian Braun and Miami Heat’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. as players with similar skillsets.
“(He can) make highlight-reel plays, chase down blocks, getting in the passing lanes,” Givony continued. “He has strong court vision. He’s a transition scorer and he’s a tremendous athlete. The Boston Celtics got one of the biggest steals in the draft here, in my view.”
Stevens echoed Givony’s sentiments when he spoke to the media after the first round. Stevens lauded Gonzalez for his intangibles, and believes the wing’s competitive nature is exactly what the Green are looking for.