Celtics First-Round Pick’s Luka Doncic Revelation Catches Attention

The Boston Celtics have subtracted more talent from their roster than they have added this offseason, but one of the team’s most promising additions, first-round rookie Hugo Gonzalez, has been showcasing his potential during the team’s Summer League campaign.

Selected with the No. 28 overall pick, Gonzalez is a 19-year-old Spanish combo guard who has tremendous upside. That has been on full display during Boston’s Summer League action, as he’s averaging 11.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in his three contests so far.

If he’s able to realize his full potential, Gonzalez could end up playing a similar style of basketball to that of Los Angeles Lakers star guard Luka Doncic. Both guys spent time playing for Real Madrid in Spain before finding their way to the NBA, although it’s clear Gonzalez has a long way to go before that comparison holds any water.

Given the fact that both guys played for the same team in Spain (albeit at different times), it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Gonzalez is very familiar with Doncic’s game. In fact, the Celtics rookie revealed that Doncic is the player he’s most looking forward to squaring off against as he transitions to the NBA.

you asked 🤝 we got the answers

Get to know @hugoglezz_ with our Rookie Rapid-fire Q&A pic.twitter.com/MxBJfnghig

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 20, 2025

If Gonzalez comes anywhere close to being the sort of player Doncic is, the Celtics would be overjoyed. After winning Rookie of the Year in 2019, Doncic rattled off five straight All-Star and All-NBA First Team selections before missing 32 games this past season due to injury.

Even as he transitioned from the Dallas Mavericks to the Lakers as part of a shocking blockbuster trade, Doncic still averaged 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game while shooting 45% from the field.

Doncic is one of the top superstars in the league, and Gonzalez is looking forward to having the chance to play against him in the pros now. With Boston losing a significant amount of talent this offseason, Gonzalez may have an opportunity to make that happen as a rookie if he can carve out a role with the team off the bench.