Hugo Gonzalez on the Legend of Luka Doncic and joining Real Madrid at 9 years old | VFTR

Hugo Gonzalez on the Legend of Luka Doncic and joining Real Madrid at 9 years old | VFTR

[music] All right, then. 19year-old rookie Ugo Gonzalez. Did I do that pretty well? It is not Hugo Gonzalez. It is Ugo first and foremost. So, make sure you get it right out there, fans. Right. >> Fair enough. >> Fair enough. All right. We’ll take that. We’ll take that. Um, Ugo, your your story is so interesting to me, uh, because your route to the NBA is so much different than pretty much everyone else on the Boston Celtics. You joined Real Madrid at 9 years old. Uh, and we touched on this at media day, but can you kind of just tell us what that experience is like? Do they recruit you? How does that whole thing come about for you joining that program at such a young age? Well, so I think that first of all, I think that they do a really good job of like they walk around primarily when we’re that young, like 10 years old, they just go around the like the basketball courts to see the young guys like me that were playing for hometown, like in my case, a town of 7,000 people and I was playing basketball right there and they do a great like they do right things to recruit. So they recruit you and then uh after that it starts getting like um so know one year you get there and then maybe you’re out and they bring somebody new um if they think that um they’re not interesting no more no like no more time on on investing on on you or >> it’s kind of like a try out early on. >> I mean I it’s always like you got to perform well cuz if not the academy is going to is going to get you out. It’s not like I’m paying for playing there. >> It’s just like >> I’m I’m playing there because they consider that I can be something good in the future. >> So they basically starts getting like with the Madrid guys uh um initially then they maybe go when you’re getting older like 12 13 years old you’re competing for a spot against everyone in in Spain. And then things start getting advanced like 14 15 they start getting recruited people with uh Europe uh most of the guys like that are being really good in other teams they get recruited a lot of times for Real Madrid >> um as an opportunity and sometimes like people like from from America like uh um Ree Robinson that is right now in in Real Madrid he’s he’s uh from United states. So basically, you’re competing against everybody from the spot right there. So you got to you got to work hard. >> So it sounds like you’re accustomed to pressure kind of being on your shoulders because you’ve had to perform at a certain level to keep your spot really since you were nine is kind of what it sounds like. Is that is that accurate? >> I mean it sounds a little bit hard with 90 years old, but I I feel like Yeah, that’s that’s a good >> I know I wouldn’t have been able to handle that. >> No. Was it a boarding school? Like did you go to live on a campus or something that young or were you able to live at home and then just train? >> No. So in my case, uh probably if I was living somewhere else of Madrid, I need to go to like the camp they got there, they got really good residence. I’ve been living there for 2 years. Um but when I was when I was young, like from 10 years old until 16, I was living on my house, you know, cuz I was living 30 minutes away from the facility. So >> Okay. I guess it’s no need to to live there if if if you don’t want even though if they don’t think that >> that um well if they don’t think or they don’t want you to leave in the campus you probably won’t be there you know >> interesting >> so so basically I got lucky that they invested and they believed in me a lot so they bring me to the camp like for two years I got I went to school there and everything so >> yeah that was facilitating me a lot of things with for example if we need to work out in the morning uh so I got facility to then go to the school blah blah blah you know so >> in that case that was that was cool >> what are their focuses in development because both you and then I got a chance to speak with Jory who was your roommate for your last season at Real Madrid now playing with the Nets but both of you have come in and just look NBA ready this jump to the next level doesn’t seem like you’re making it look easy. I know it’s not, but you’re making it look easy. How has Real Madrid prepared you for this? >> I mean, they taking they taking basically you uh or they expect you to be in the highest standard they got basically. So, um you know, we’ve been sharing with uh two years uh in a room, we’ve been three years together. >> He’s a great friend of mine. I’m really really happy for everything uh he’s living right now. I know he’s he’s really happy where he is and uh he’s got uh he was happy being BYU and everything. It was hard for me cuz we wanted to to do a lot of things in Madrid, you know, like uh winning uh certain we got some objectives to to do together, >> right? >> Uh so maybe maybe in my future it will be it will be it. I don’t know. Do you see similarities between Real Madrid? Because you won multiple championships in your time with them, that standard and that expectation of playing for championships. Do you kind of see some of that and feel that here in Boston with the Celtics? >> Right. So um basically um for us in Madrid it’s like honestly for me never in one season I never won any certain kind of championship you know like always league we play three four trophies a year so at least I I won one so and basically like uh you try to figure out like always being competitive and always trying to win >> here is basically the same like they always want to win their high standard and they’re really really competitive, so it’s more or less the same. >> Fits you perfectly. >> Yeah, exactly. Well, we’re glad that you brought that kind of standard over here to the Celtics. But I’m curious because a lot of our fans probably don’t get a chance to watch the Euro League and watch teams over there. Explain that game to us like like how does it maybe differ a little bit from what your experience has been here with the NBA? What what is different and how would you describe the Euro League game? So the yearly game is the most um most mental tactical basketball um game is all over in the world. >> Interesting. >> You know >> why what makes you say that? >> Um there’s a lot of systems that you got to know. There’s a lot of tendencies that you got to know. And even though like here you can guard tendencies there you need to guard tendencies too. But maybe sometimes like like here also like I’ll I’ll say the same like you can get score even though you’re guarding what you they need to shoot they want to shoot you know. So basically I I think that it’s a high um high pressure of like mental physically be great >> um not mentally tactical be great cuz physical physical here is is more difficult you know >> three four five games a week >> here is way more physical uh physical players the best physical players in the world but the tactical mental game there it’s it’s the most I’ve our experience. That’s very interesting that you say that and Abby, I’m sure you feel the same way, but like you we can see that with you out on the court that like you you think the game at an advant at an advanced rate compared to like a 19-year-old in the US coming out of college. So, we can I can see that translating here already into the NBA. I’m curious, what’s been the biggest challenge of of switching from that game in in the Euro League and coming over here to the NBA? What what have you found to be most challenging? Well, so it’s it’s a lot of uh new rules, you know, like for example, I remember my probably one of my first practices, I was standing like six, seven seconds and on the zone >> cuz I was I was protecting the basket, you know, like in Europe, you you can do that and you’re supposed to be three seconds. Yeah. >> So, that’d be a hard habit to break. >> Yeah. Like there was like get the out there. [laughter] >> Get >> I’m sure Joe said that to you, right? >> Get out there. Like, what are you doing? You know, [laughter] there’s a lot of rules that you need to figure out. Then, uh, I’m glad I never did it, but my mind is always like, you can sweep the ball out of the rim. And in Europe, you can do it. >> And if you sweep the ball out of the rim, you counted two points. So, I better never do it in the on a game cuz if not, that’s going to that’s going to piss us off. I mean, me and the team. >> Uh, you know, those type of things that you’re used to doing in in Europe and like here are different rules. So you got to adapt and you got to put them while a high level of dopamine and adrenaline is going in the game. You need to still think about that like >> you can’t do this, you need to do this. Like this is a rule that you need to >> you need to go, you know, different types of >> how do you defend more physically or less, you know? So >> I want that rule to change here in the NBA by the way. I hope it does during your career here that we you can knock it out of the basket. I want that to be an NBA rule. >> That’ll be good. during your career. I’m I’m gonna put out a petition for you. >> I’m okay without the flopping. >> Yeah, that too. >> That out of it. >> I think you’re wonderful. [music] >> Cut your mobile bill in half and save $65 a month for your first year with Expinity Mobile. [music] >> Changing seasons means changing roads and maybe it’s time for new tires. Luckily, Michelin is there to help. Complete Michelin survey for your chance to win two tickets to an upcoming Boston Celtics game and a set of four Michelin passenger or light truck tires. To enter, visit wintiresand tickets.com and complete the survey. That’s wininttiresand tickets.com. No purchase necessary. Sweepstakes starts October 29th, 2025 and ends February 7th, 2026. Must be a resident of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, or Connecticut and 18 years or older to enter. Void wear prohibited. For official rules and eligibility requirements, visit wint tiresandtick.com, sponsored by Michelin North America, Inc. >> Jaor also told me that there was a much bigger offensive load put on you on those Real Madrid teams. Is there something like do you feel like we’ve seen even part of the bag that you have here in the NBA and with the Celtics? >> Yeah, Gore. what what he said >> gentlemen that the Real Madrid teams asked a lot more of you offensively put the ball in your hands more >> you seem like you don’t believe it >> you don’t believe that he said that >> yeah I mean we were both uh playing in a house standard I I going to say that we got a really really good team we were really really good and I’m like I really missed that those days so much like I really loved it I mean he was my point guard so he was the guy that it was >> feeding you the ball >> yeah uh yeah he got in great positions. I try to get them in the best position. Uh also like I feel like we always try to to feed each other and to help each other um and to help the team like just doing the great things the things that I know. I mean I know what he can do better and his best. Right now it’s going to be a disadvantage for him because now we’re playing each other. But when we were playing together, it was really good because I know exactly where he what he wants and how he wants some certain things. So, >> I just feel like obviously defense is the focus for you. That’s how you’re getting on the floor and you’re guarding the opposition’s best player night in and night out, but offensively we’ve seen flashes of things that you can do. Do you Is there a lot more in your game? >> We’ll figure it out. [laughter] We’ll have to wait and see. That’s all I got to say. Like, uh teaser. We’ll figure it out. um you know there’s um some things more important that what I got where I don’t got on my bag you know >> there are things like um sacrifice um playing in a high standard you know those every time the things that goes above what I can do with the ball in my hands honestly we got some of the best ball handlers in the whole league so right now it’s not what is required obviously if they ask me to do it I’ll be more than happy to do it and more than prepared to do But it’s not the moment right now. But like I said, like anytime they ask me to do it, I’ll do it. >> You’re willing to do whatever it takes to win, right? You’re you’re willing to accept the role even if it’s not taking 15, 20 shots a game. That’s that’s the thing that I’ve noticed about you immediately. You just want to win. You’ll do whatever the coaching staff asks. >> Yeah. I mean, I I’ll ask you a question. >> Mhm. >> Like me to you or you both. >> I love this. Reverse it on us. Yes. >> What do you like more? Uh, you like more to win or you hate the most losing? >> Winning. >> I love winning. >> You love winning. >> I love You hate losing the most. I know what you’re going to say. Yeah. >> I hate losing. >> And that’s why you’re willing to do whatever it takes to come out on the other side of that. Right. >> Yeah. It’s I love seeing that early on in your career here. Quick uh quick note from our our sponsor, Exfinity Mobile. Celtics fans want to keep your phone as fresh as fresh as your kicks. With Xfinity Mobile, you can upgrade to a new device every year. So, send that old phone to the bench. See what we did there? And stay ahead of the game. Xfinity. Imagine that. Listen, uh, Ugo, another interesting thing about your upbringing is that both of your parents were very good at the game of basketball, right? They both played professionally over in Europe. I’m curious how their what was their impact uh on you growing up compared to you know you’re in the program with Real Madrid but you’ve also got your parents at home who can teach you quite a bit about basketball as well. >> Well I think that um they been they had been a really good um influence for me. You know it’s not always it’s not always in every case good to have parents that played basketball. So they had a really really high expectation on you. Uh I’m really blessed that I got um my mom and my dad. They helped me in a passive way. They they allowed me to make my mistakes, to make my own path, my own way, you know, and really don’t like don’t expect nothing about me cuz you know like you enter to Real Madrid with 10, but you’re you’re a kid. Like you’re a kid. Literally a kid. I don’t even remember what I felt like when [laughter] I was 9 or 10 years old. Yeah. >> What can you expect? Obviously, they got they tried to push me to a higher standard like everybody in my life. >> Uh but they helped me more like with uh my first decisions like obviously it wasn’t a really hard decision to say I want to play for Real Madrid. It wasn’t >> like where do I sign >> a hard decision but they they took it for me in that in that time. Um, I remember my my first agents that are the ones that I work with right now because we got a really great relationship. Um, they picked them because you don’t know how you don’t know how to pick an agent with 13 years old. >> See, those are these are the things that like we don’t for us not knowing your upbringing of a little thing like that of like how did you choose your first agent? Yeah. Your parents were there to help you out with that. That’s >> that’s just so interesting cuz we’re not we’re not touching agents when we’re nine or 10 years old here in the US. >> Yeah, that’s it. like those type of things that you know um you can’t choose and probably if you choose it you’re going to go wrong or you’re going to think >> yeah this is >> this is this is the one that I want because he’s giving me a part of Nikes >> today you know >> as a kid that’s how >> that’s what you’re going to think that was what I was thinking they told me like >> you want to go here you’re going to take this way um obviously I made a lot of mistakes like a lot a lot of mistakes and whoever has followed my under uh career in in Madrid. >> They know that I made a lot of mistakes, a lot of I mean, you can search a lot of mistakes [laughter] and they’ve been on my side, but also letting me know that this is not the the thing that you’re supposed to do like this is not good and this goes far away from from basketball. This is you as a person, too. So, >> yeah, they help me a lot. >> And they’re here now with you in Boston, right? >> Uh yeah, right now my mom and my brother are here with me. So, they help How nice is that? And have have they enjoyed it? Are you liking Boston? >> Yeah, they like Boston. I mean, Boston is really cool city and also it’s pretty similar to Madrid, more or less. So, >> right, >> I feel that way, too. >> I got one more question before we wrap up and this is because I had a little bit of experience. I went over to to Spain um when the Celtics went over there >> a decade ago, played in Madrid against Real Madrid and guess who was on the court during that game? Luca Donuch. And we had heard about this name of this 15 or 16year-old phenom over there. He didn’t play great against us because it was a 15 or 16 year old against the Boston Celtics. But I’m curious what what is kind of like the legend over in Spain and with the Real Madrid program of Luca Donuch and how he came up and what he’s turned into over here in the NBA. I mean, for everybody in Real Madrid Academy, uh, when you’re growing up or like for everybody that plays basketball all over Europe under 18, uh, probably his, I mean, for us in Madrid specifically, he’s just a legend. Like, he’s what you would like to be in a perfect world, you can’t even imagine what he’s doing right now. He just represents um like every single guy that works in the academy works to be like Luca and to follow his way, you know. So basically uh a role model to follow. >> Do you have a relationship with him at all? >> I mean he’s come to u to some of games. Um we’ve talked some point not a relationship. Um but he he has been impression and I’ve been in talk with him sometime. Yeah. Well, I have to tell you that whenever you play him, especially given the team that he plays for now, you must beat him. Okay? You cannot allow him and the Lakers to beat us. Okay? That’s not allowed. >> We don’t do that. [laughter] >> All right, Ugo, we appreciate the time, man. It’s It’s great to hear your upbringing. It’s just so unique to us in the US. We just don’t really have a grasp on it. So, thank you for opening up and talking to us about it. And good luck the rest of the season. It’s been a lot of fun watching you play. >> Thank you guys. >> Thank you.

At just 19 years old, Hugo Gonzalez has made the leap from the Euroleague to the NBA look easy. He explains how signing into the Real Madrid basketball program in Spain at nine years old, and growing up in the Euroleague world, helped to develop him beyond his years. Gonzalez also explains the similarities and differences between Euroleague ball and NBA ball, as well as the challenges of his move to the league. We also learn of the impact Hugo’s parents, who were both professional players overseas, had on him growing up, and how they led him through the process of growing up in the Real Madrid program. Last but not least, Hugo comments on the legend of Luka Doncic, who also played for Real Madrid and faced the Celtics in a preseason game back in 2015.

00:24: On joining Real Madrid at nine years old
04:25: On being teammates and roommates with Egor Emin, of the Brooklyn Nets, while with Real Madrid
05:28: Similarities between the Boston Celtics and Real Madrid
06:25: Describing Euroleague basketball as the most tactical basketball in the world
11:15: What else is in his offensive bag that we haven’t seen?
12:12: Which is a stronger feeling for Hugo: his love for winning or his hate for losing?
13:15: How his parents, who both played professionally in Europe, helped to mold him growing up
15:00: How he chose his first agent
16:20: The legend of Luka Doncic within the Real Madrid program

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