Spanish guard Hugo González has gained invaluable experience in the NBA, from defending elite scorers to witnessing the league’s unique lifestyle. In a recent interview with Drafteados, González reflected on his journey and the lessons learned.
One highlight for González was defending Kevin Durant. Despite fouling Durant twice early in their brief matchup, he was struck by Durant’s effortless dominance. “If you’re only paying attention to him, when he wants to score, he just goes and does it… he’s unstoppable,” González said. He also admitted he had hoped to guard one of his idols, Anthony Edwards, but didn’t get floor time during that game.
Off the court, González has been impressed by the treatment NBA franchises provide players and their families. From special lounges to meals and amenities, the care given to families helps players focus on their performance. “Seeing my family—my mother and my brother—doing well makes you feel calmer and lets you stop worrying,” he said.
González’s experiences highlight the dual learning curve of the NBA: mastering on-court skills against the world’s best while adapting to life around the league.
