Willy Hernangomez left the NBA and the Pelicans a few days before the formalization of the departure of his brother Juancho, for Panathinaikos. Willy will continue his career in Barcelona after a short season with 38 games for 12 minutes of playing time on average.
His choice sparked controversy since the MVP of the last Euro had been trained at Real Madrid before flying to the NBA. The Spanish international therefore explained it in Marca, confident that he had chosen the project in which he felt the most involved.
“I understand all opinions. I was surprised by the number of people who supported me and understood that I was looking for an opportunity, a place where I would feel valued. Barcelona, it’s been that from the first moment and I’m happy like that.”, did he declare. “A lot of other teams in Europe have called me. It’s recognition for the player I am and want to be. I was just asking for a chance. I’m from Madrid, I was born here, but they didn’t see that I belonged here and I just wanted to play. At Barça, from the first minute, with Juan Carlos (Navarro) and Mario (Fernández), I was made to feel that I was appreciated and I was offered a project”.
Willy Hernangomez dreams of playing with his brother
Willy Hernangomez was grateful to the club that trained him but felt no more indebted than that. “I am also grateful to Sevilla (where he had been loaned for two years), the Knicks, Charlotte, the Pelicans”he added. “What I was looking for was just an opportunity to play, to be happy and to be appreciated. In Barcelona they give it to me”.
While rumors of Barcelona’s interest in Juancho Hernangomez had leaked before his signing at Pana, Willy, who will slowly approach his thirties, will therefore have to wait a little longer before hoping one day to play under the same colors as his brother in club.
“I would love to, it’s a dream, to be able to play with him. This is not yet the case for next season, but we still have time and still plenty of gas in the tank. I am sure we will have other opportunities”.
| Willy Hernangomez | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2016-17 | NYK | 72 | 18 | 52.9 | 26.7 | 72.8 | 2.4 | 4.6 | 7.0 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 8.2 |
| 2017-18 * | All Teams | 48 | 10 | 55.5 | 41.7 | 65.6 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 3.8 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 5.1 |
| 2017-18 * | NYK | 26 | 9 | 60.5 | 20.0 | 42.9 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 4.3 |
| 2017-18 * | CHA | 22 | 12 | 50.6 | 57.1 | 75.8 | 1.8 | 3.5 | 5.3 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 6.1 |
| 2018-19 | CHA | 58 | 14 | 51.9 | 38.5 | 69.4 | 2.0 | 3.3 | 5.4 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 7.3 |
| 2019-20 | CHA | 31 | 12 | 53.2 | 22.7 | 62.7 | 1.4 | 2.9 | 4.3 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 6.1 |
| 2020-21 | NO | 47 | 18 | 56.3 | 10.0 | 66.7 | 2.5 | 4.6 | 7.1 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 7.8 |
| 2021-22 | NO | 50 | 17 | 52.0 | 33.3 | 77.3 | 2.9 | 3.9 | 6.8 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 9.1 |
| 2022-23 | NO | 38 | 12 | 52.7 | 27.3 | 77.9 | 1.5 | 3.2 | 4.7 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 6.9 |
| Total | 344 | 15 | 53.3 | 30.6 | 71.3 | 2.1 | 3.7 | 5.8 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 7.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
