Checking hype train status after Celtics' first weekend at NBA Summer League originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
LAS VEGAS — Every summer, we descend into the 110-degree desert heat for a few days at Vegas Summer League and make rash declarations about the Boston Celtics’ youngest players based on the tiniest of samples of exhibition basketball. It’s a tradition unlike any other.
Yes, it’s time for our annual status check on summer hype trains while we power rank the things that have stood out most through the first weekend of Celtics summer hoops on the campus of UNLV.
Let’s be honest: After a month of drama around the Jaylen Brown trade saga, most Celtics fans were desperate for any sort of distraction. Summer league hoops arrived like a mirage in the offseason desert. We’ll take any distraction from the second apron.
And if we’re staying honest, the Celtics have had some absolutely dreadful starts to their first two summer league games and, despite that, they’re 2-0 and sit atop the Vegas standings.
Let’s ignore the painful first-quarter offense and all the haphazard turnovers and put a spotlight on what has left the hype trains scrambling most.
1. Hugo Gonzalez
Sure, it would have been nice if Gonzalez dominated both ends of the floor in extended minutes to start summer league. Then we could sit here and suggest he’s already graduated from summer league at age 20. Instead, he has looked like a guy who spent the past week globe trotting, first traveling to Europe for FIBA qualifiers with his native Spain, then relocating stateside to travel from Boston to Vegas. That’s a lot of miles — on the court and off. The Celtics have put more on Gonzalez’s plate at summer league and it’s been a mixed bag at times.
The shots haven’t fallen but his passing has been excellent and, when he cranks up the defensive intensity, he looks like someone ready to carve out a bigger regular-season role. More importantly, if you need another indicator of the Hugo Hype Meter, teammate Dillon Mitchell said everyone outside the hotel wants Hugo’s autograph.
2. Dillon Mitchell
We’d suggest that the 40th pick in June’s draft has hit the ground running, but he seemingly spends most of his time floating above the court. Mitchell has embraced the tenets of every Boston wing with his willingness to corner crash and hoist open 3-pointers. He made more 3s against the Hornets (two) than he did in 1,041 minutes in his senior season at St. John’s (one).
Mitchell’s athleticism is super intriguing. He pursues tip dunks like they are his oxygen (even if fellow rookie Chris Cenac Jr. nearly killed him on a putback quest of his own). Mitchell has had multiple instances through two games where he’s floated long enough around the rim on defense to swat opposing offerings. He’s perpetually causing chaos. If he’s already bought in this much at the very start of his Boston tenure, imagine the potential as the Celtics thrust him further into their player development machine.
3. Chris Cenac Jr.
A 19-year-old rookie riding the summer roller coaster is no surprise. Cenac Jr. made a loud debut by hitting the overtime-forcing 3-pointer against Toronto, then struggled to get himself going against a more NBA experienced Charlotte frontcourt.
Still, you can’t help but watch Cenac Jr.’s raw potential and envision how the Celtics can mold him into an impact player. Boston’s player development record is well documented at this point. It’s going to take time with Cenac Jr., but his length and athleticism give him a chance to impact the game at both ends when he’s on the floor.
4. John Tonje
Credit to Tonje. Last season, his biggest role might have been helping the Celtics navigate Salary Cap Tetris while finishing below the luxury tax line. Tonje had the reputation as a scorer after putting up quality numbers in his senior year at Wisconsin, then in the G-League after being drafted by Utah (53rd pick in 2025). Not only is he shooting 61.5 percent on 3s to start the Vegas experience with Boston, but he’s trying to prove he can contribute in other ways, too.
Tonje delivered a little pick-6 to seal Boston’s overtime win to start the summer schedule. He’s strong and he rebounds. Even at age 25, Tonje is doing enough to make the Celtics continue their investment in his development.
5. Amari Williams
Similar to Cenac Jr., a good opening night gave way to some struggles against the Hornets’ frontline. What we like: Williams is an excellent passer and his five turnovers Sunday weren’t entirely his fault. Williams’ size gives him a chance to alter shots on the defensive end and he’s totaled seven blocks over two games. Starting the year on another two-way should help get Williams the reps he needs to continue his own development.
6. Pink polos
The Celtics continue to dominate the sartorial competition at summer league. The sheer variety of colors and patterns that Boston’s coaching staff trots out in recent summers has put the rest of the league on notice. Not even the second apron can slow Boston’s polo game. The Spurs’ coaches busted out their own pink polos on Sunday night.
7. Milos Uzan
The offense has typically run best with Uzan on the floor. He’s a strong playmaker who tries to take care of the ball. The Celtics were plus-24 in his 31 minutes on Sunday. This has to be enjoyable for Uzan, a Las Vegas native. There’s a lot of competition for Boston’s final two-way slots, especially if Mitchell starts his rookie season on one. But Uzan has the sort of game that you want to see more of and the Celtics seem to like running him this summer with Cenac Jr., given their time together last season with Houston.
8. Tucker DeVries
An undrafted shooter from the Midwest? Put him on the Sam Hauser track. DeVries can clearly shoot the ball, and he can punish teams with his passing when they close out. We’re eager to see what he can do if more minutes arrive later in Boston’s summer excursion.