The NBA rookie everyone is falling in love with after a dazzling debut at Madison Square Garden

It hasn’t taken long for the Boston Celtics’ Hugo González to turn heads in the NBA. The Spanish guard-forward made his debut at one of basketball’s most iconic venues, Madison Square Garden, and left everyone talking. After sitting out the opener against the 76ers, González finally got his chance in New York against the Knicks.

“Luckily for me, I’ve already played in some crazy arenas in Europe,” the 19-year-old said after the game. “Was I nervous? Of course. You don’t debut in the NBA every day.”

Hugo Gonzalez’s seamless transition from Real Madrid to the NBA

González came up through Real Madrid’s system, where he spent the past season traveling to hostile arenas across Spain and Europe. That experience, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla noted, helped him make a seamless transition to the world’s toughest basketball league.

And it showed. González logged nearly 23 minutes, including key minutes in the fourth quarter, as he battled hard on both ends. “He understands his role very clearly: defend at a high level,” Mazzulla said after Boston’s 105–95 loss in New York. “He helped us set the tone in the third quarter.”

A rookie grounded in humility

Asked about his defensive mentors, González gave a thoughtful, self-aware response that revealed a mature mindset. “Honestly... Jalen Brunson dropped 30 on us tonight, so it’s probably not the day to say I’m a great defender,” he said with a smile.

The Madrid native finished with 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and an assist, and posted a team-best plus/minus of +7. Not bad for a first night under the Garden lights.

Teammates and legends take notice: “I’m falling in love”

Veteran Jaylen Brown was quick to praise the rookie’s attitude, and to point out that others should follow his example. “He’s doing great,” Brown said. “Hugo plays with energy and toughness. That’s the mentality we need. We need more of that, more of what Hugo has. It can’t just come from a rookie.”

The broadcast crew on Amazon Prime Video, which was also debuting its NBA coverage that night, shared the enthusiasm. Analyst Stan Van Gundy was particularly impressed. “It’s my first time seeing him, and he works hard on defense. He battles and he’s going to be a force defensively for the Celtics,” Van Gundy said. “Looks like Brad Stevens may have pulled off another draft steal.”

González was selected 28th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, and one play in particular, a quick steal from former teammate Guerschon Yabusele in the post, won Van Gundy over completely: “I’m falling in love with him,” he said on air.

From debut to starting lineup

Blake Griffin, also on the broadcast, added: “The kid earned his minutes tonight. He was fantastic, and knowing Joe, he’s going to lean on him. He was everywhere on the court. That’s what you want when you’re short-handed, guys who play hard every night. Celtics fans are going to love this kid.”

And Mazzulla clearly did. Just hours later, the coach promoted González to the starting lineup. By the Celtics’ third game, a 119–113 win over the Pistons, the Spaniard was in the first five, guarding Cade Cunningham and helping force six turnovers in 18 solid minutes.

Hugo González hasn’t just arrived in the NBA. He’s already making Boston - and the league - take notice.

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