Celtics sign first-round draft pick González to contract

The Celtics have signed 2025 first-round draft pick Hugo González six days after Boston selected the 6-foot-5 guard/forward.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The pick was an historic one, as it represented the first time the Celtics drafted a Spanish player.

González, who will wear No. 28, was selected with the 28th overall pick after playing for the past three seasons for Real Madrid in Spain. A native of Madrid, he made his senior team debut with Real Madrid during the 2022-23 season.

He became the fourth-youngest player in team history when he joined them at age 16.

González was named the 2023-24 EuroLeague U18 Adidas Next Generations Tournament Finals MVP after he averaged 15.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.9 steals, and 1.3 blocks over eight games. González also was named the 2022-23 EuroLeague ANGT Rising Star, averaging 17.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.6 steals and 1.6 blocks in 27.9 minutes per game. He appeared in 69 games this past season for Real Madrid.

— Boston Herald staff

Detroit Red Wings legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Alex Delvecchio dies at 93

DETROIT >> Alex Delvecchio, a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame who helped the Detroit Red Wings win the Stanley Cup three times in the 1950s, has died. He was 93.

Delvecchio died at his home in Rochester, Michigan, according to a Red Wings spokesperson. A cause of death was not immediately available, though his family said in a statement released by the team that Delvecchio died peacefully Tuesday surrounded by loved ones.

“Alex was more than a hockey icon. He was a devoted husband, loving father, great grandfather, cherished friend and respected teammate to so many,” the family said. “While the world knew him as an incredible hockey player with numerous accomplishments on the ice, we knew him as someone whose humility, strength, competitiveness, kindness and heart were even greater than his knew achievements.”

Delvecchio spent his entire NHL career with the Red Wings from 1951-73, recording 1,325 points in 1,671 regular-season and playoff games. Playing alongside “Mr. Hockey” Gordie Howe, he was part of championship teams in 1952, ‘54 and ‘55, won the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct three times and was a two-time All-Star.

Jake Paul enters WBA’s cruiserweight rankings, making him eligible for title shot

LOS ANGELES >> Jake Paul has entered the World Boxing Association’s cruiserweight rankings, making the YouTuber-turned-boxer eligible to fight for a world title.

The WBA slotted Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) at No. 14 in the latest edition of its rankings late Monday night, two days after Paul beat 39-year-old Julio César Chávez Jr. by unanimous decision in Anaheim, California.

The WBA’s decision to rank Paul likely means the sanctioning body would allow him to fight WBA cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez, who won his latest title defense in the penultimate bout in Anaheim. The fighters have not agreed to a deal, but Paul and Ramírez stared each other down during the post-fight news conference.

While Paul’s ranking is a remarkable milestone for a social media behemoth and former Disney Channel star who only decided to become a boxer about six years ago, the WBA’s decision reflects Paul’s incredible financial potential more than his fighting resume.

— The Associated Press