By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Second-year NBA guard Hugo Gonzalez recently talked with Spanish reporters about several topics, including Spain’s NBA rookie class and the senior national team’s goals for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Reflecting on his own rookie year with the Boston Celtics, the Madrid native commended the start made by Aday Mara, Sergio de Larrea, and Baba Miller. “I think they’re doing well. They’re having a great start to the season. Very well deserved, too, because I obviously know them all,” he said. “Besides being very good players, they’re very good people, very good teammates; we have many memories together.”
While wishing de Larrea a quick recovery from an ongoing injury, he pointed out how Mara and Miller are making their mark. “Everyone is taking advantage of their opportunity, and that’s going to help us a lot,” added Gonzalez.
With the Olympics on the horizon, the 20-year-old guard welcomed questions about whether Spain’s emerging core can fight for gold and challenge the United States. He did not hesitate.
“If we didn’t think about it, we shouldn’t even play,” he said. “I believe we have to aspire to be the best players we can be. If we have the work ethic I think we have, the connection I think we have, and the confidence in ourselves, I don’t know what the limit will be or what the ultimate goal will be. I know that the process we’re going through will be a beautiful one, and one in which we’ll probably have aspirations, without forgetting that we’ll likely be together for many years.”
Before reaching that 12-nation field, Spain must navigate the FIBA World Cup 2027, which grants seven direct spots alongside host USA. Currently in Group I of the European Qualifiers, they sit at 5–3 with four contests left, holding a one-game edge inside the top-three cutoff. Gonzalez has suited up four times during this stretch while chasing his first appearance on a senior tournament stage.
Make 
Your Preferred Basketball Source.
Add Eurohoops to Google