Willy Hernangómez rules out Real Madrid and joins Doncic’s vision of the EuroLeague
After seven years in the NBA, Willy Hernangómez has decided to return to Europe and sign a three-year contract with FC Barcelona: the former Real Madrid player, who played between 2012 and 2016, has ruled out a return to the Madrid team, although she had yours Right. “They didn’t love me,” Hernangómez admitted to Basketinside. Choose Barcelona It was a decision based on Find a suitable place and situation for himand thanked Real Madrid for the opportunity they gave him at the beginning.
Hernangómez also spoke about the most dominant players he has played against in the EuroLeague and NBA, agreeing with Luka Doncic’s opinion that it is harder to score in Europe than in the NBA. According to him, European basketball requires more skill and understanding of the game.
The choice of FC Barcelona and life after the NBA
The 29-year-old Willy felt more comfortable in New Orleans, where he lived for almost three and a half years, than in Madrid, where his time as a professional was short-lived. After a difficult year in New Orleans and not playing as much as I wanted after EuroBasket, I was looking for an opportunity to feel good and be happy, something he found in Barcelona.
He named his teammates Jan Vesely, Serge Ibaka, Georgios Papagiannis and Walter Tavares as the most outstanding players in the “5” position. He named Brook Lopez, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Steven Adams as the toughest players he’s ever had to guard.
His vision of basketball and the future in Barcelona
Willy called Sergio Scariolo his favorite coach and expressed his desire to work with him more often in the future. Even if he is not looking to return to the NBA, he feels at home in Barcelona and hopes to stay there for many years to come. According to Willy, European basketball requires superior tactical intelligence and the ability to understand both defense and attack.
Willy also commented on the career of his brother Juancho Hernangómez, who recently signed with Panathinaikos. Although it was rumored that they might star together, that didn’t happen. Willy hopes to compete against his brother in the EuroLeague and dreams of them both reaching the Final Four.