Hugo Gonzalez speaks to media after being drafted by Boston Celtics
always has played the game with an edge, whether it’s your physicality or the high effort you play with. Is that always who you’ve been on the court? Yeah, I mean that’s all more or less what I am playing on the court. Um that’s my main type of playing and I don’t know how to play another way. So that’s probably the things that defines me as a as a player.
And coach Matteo obviously trusted you a lot with the ball in your hands. How do you feel like that development at Real Madrid is going to help you in that role with the Celtics? Man, as I said a couple of times, I think that um this is that I got with Madrid, it was also like a pre- rookie season. So, it’s going to help me a lot for my first year, especially of hanging out with the professional players already because I’ve already been with some ex former NBA players. So, having that experience already on my backpack is something that going to be really useful.
You look like you were having the time of your life. Yeah, we was thinking the same thing, just seeing you having fun out there. Just what what are your first impressions of Boston? What’s it like being here now? I mean, I’ve been here more less than a day, but um the things that I could just see it was it was pretty beautiful, actually. It was just having uh some dinner uh yesterday night and uh just waking up today at 6:00 a.m. because of the change of schedule and everything, but um pretty beautiful. I really like it.
Was it fun for you today though, just kind of getting a taste of what it’s like to be part of this community?
Yeah, of course. I mean, it was a really exciting day. Really have a really good had a really good time with the with the kids and everything and uh just waiting for the for the next. pretty excited.
Have you gotten the chance for you?
What was draft day like for you? Just did you like take a nap before the draft after winning the championship? Like what was that whole process like?
I mean, I took the nap before the the game as always. But when the when we finished this celebration and game and everything, it was already almost draft night, so I I ain’t got any a lot of time for resting. And then uh until 6:00 a.m. in Spain was a a long night, but it really paid off. So,
I mentioned being around professional players. Is there anyone an exNBA player or whatever at Real Madrid that kind of took you under under their wing and kind of helped you out?
I mean, I got lucky that I played with a lot of guys. Last year I was playing with my idol Rudy Fernandez. I got plenty of other guys that even e even play in the NBA or not like Sergio U that didn’t came but he helped me a lot better players or this year Mario Fakun Campo um Ibaka a lot of people that have played in the NBA for a ton of years and they got me everyone under the wing cuz they were really good teammates with me and I really appreciate it.
Have you talked to Joe or any of your new teammates yet and what have those conversations been like since you got drafted? I mean, as I said, I just landed yesterday, so I didn’t got a lot of time for for meeting uh for meeting anybody. I’m just a lot of people on the staff today at the breakfast, but um just excited for meeting them, too. So, what are some of the things those those teammates told you about making that transition to the NBA, the players who have played in the NBA?
I mean, actually, what they just told me is like be yourself, how how you play, you’re gonna have success. Um, and I’m having that feedback and really on my mind because they got a ton of experience, way more than me. And uh, if they tell me that, it’s because they they know what they’re saying. So, having that um, really appreciation. Yeah.
Who is your all-time favorite NBA player?
Well, actually, um, I ain’t got a certain one. Um, I I like a lot the the game and everything, but I ain’t got any certain uh, NBA player. Probably I like a lot to see Manuino. I love him to see him play and uh I enjoyed him a lot. Yeah.
How old were you when you first started watching NBA basketball? I mean uh I ain’t got uh a certain age, you know, but um some different type of games, especially when I was younger because right now with the season and everything having a ton of games and the schedule is really difficult to watch them, but I’m trying to have uh as much as I can, especially right now that we’re having some some free time uh for getting used to the game. What did you know about the Celtics just growing up? I mean, what can I say? This is the the most winner franchise in the whole NBA, and that’s a privilege to be part of of franchise like this. Um, it’s more or less like what I was used to be in Real Madrid that they were the the most winning club in Europe, too. So, having that type of transition and similarities and everything, it’s something that is going to be easier.
When did you realize you were on their radar? Well, actually, you you never know when you are on the radar or not, but um when you start uh doing things the way you need to do them, um you know that things are going to come. So, question for Huga.
Brad Stevens said that uh one of the things that he took from you was just how team first you are in your conversations with him. Um, how did playing with Real Madrid, playing on a team with so many veterans kind of help you see what it takes to look like or to to win?
Yeah, I mean, as you said, um, for me playing for Madrid Academy since I was 10, it was almost like playing for a team that winning was a must every year for every title. So, pretty used to, um, the team success is the first and the main thing for the whole season. It’s nothing that I need to that I need to learn. It’s something that I already got on my DNA. So, I think that that’s going to help a franchise like the Celtics, too, and I hope it does.
Are you planning on playing summer league?
Thank you.
Sorry. Are you planning on playing in summer league?
I mean, I hope yes. I’m pretty excited about it. Um, just wanted to I just want to get on the on work already and uh look out for the next step.
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