The 2025 NBA early draft entrants are starting to file their intentions swiftly. Over the last 24 hours, three European teenagers, including Hugo Gonzalez, officially declared for the upcoming draft. Where will they be selected?
Gonzalez was the last of the trio to enter the 2025 NBA Draft, as he announced his entry earlier today, per Jonathan Givony of ESPN. According to Givony, Gonzalez is a projected first-round pick.
“Real Madrid wing Hugo González, a projected first-round pick, will declare for the NBA draft, agents Carlos Sánchez and Saúl López told ESPN, Givony tweeted on X. “Gonzalez built an impressive resume in recent years at the FIBA youth and junior club levels.”
19-Year-old Spanish Teenage Sensation Enters 2025 NBA Draft, Where Is He Projected To Be Selected?
Gonzalez is a 6-7 forward currently playing for Real Madrid, where he has seen limited time. The 19-year-old Spaniard is in his third season of professional basketball. He averages 3.1 points and 1.7 rebounds in 10 minutes over 53 appearances. He has scored in double figures four times while compiling 40.9/29.2/73.9.
While this is technically Gonzalez’s third year of pro ball, he only appeared in 20 games over the previous two seasons for Real Madrid. Before fully joining Real Madrid in 2024-25, Gonzalez played for Real’s U18 squad beginning in 2022-23. The Madrid native earned several awards with the Real Madrid U18 squad, picking up the 2023 NJIT Rising Star award, the 2024 NJIT All-Tournament team, and the NJIT MVP.
Where Is Hugo Gonzalez Projected To Be Selected In 2o25 NBA Draft?
Gonzalez also has played internationally for Spain’s national team. He started participating in the national team as a 14-year-old with Spain’s U16 club in 2021. In 2022, Gonzalez participated with the U17 World Cup team and U16 Euro Championship A. Then, in 2023, he helped Spain’s U18 squad to a silver medal in the Euro Championships and was named to the All-European Championship Tournament team. He also played for Spain’s U18 squad last season, which finished 13th in the U18 Euro Championship.
“Hugo Gonzalez brings outstanding physical tools, defensive versatility, high-level intensity, and winning qualities on both ends of the floor,” Givony added in another tweet. “He wreaks havoc in passing lanes and as a rim-protector, while moving the ball unselfishly and flying out energetically in transition.”
Givony has him ranked No. 22 on ESPN’s big board of 2025 draft prospects. CBS Sports ranks him between No. 23 and No. 27. Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasseman has him at No. 31, and Yahoo Sports has him at No. 26. Meanwhile, The Athletic has Gonzalez at No. 26, though the last time they updated their mock draft was on March 19.
What The Fim Says About Gonzalez?
Strengths
- Defense: Very Active
- Very good length for an average size wing
- Athleticism
- High-Motor
Weakness/Area Of Improvement
- Shooting: Has compiled a 47.5 EFG% and a 1.25 points per shot over last two seasons.
- Ball-handling/Decision-making
- Body Control
Last Word
Gonzalez is definitely an intriguing NBA prospect. His defensive prowess and above-average athleticism, including some explosiveness, give him a lot of upside. He is a slasher who needs to improve his off-the-ball movement, with shooting being a specific area of weakness. However, he does have a nice quick release from beyond the arc and gets his feet under him when getting into his shot.
Gonzalez can also play with pace and has playmaking ability. He could ultimately be a point forward, like Scottie Pippen, who excels in transition. He also needs to improve his efficiency and play more under control.
It would be surprising if Gonzalez keeps his name in the 2025 NBA draft. He is the youngest player in the draft, behind Cooper Flagg. Regardless whether Gonzalez remains in the draft, he will likely spend at least one more year in Europe for more seasoning as he is not close for the NBA. Saying that, I see him as a very late first round pick -if a team wants to take a flyer on his potential — to early second round pick (No. 26-to-40 range).
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