Willy Hernangómez


Guillermo Gustavo "Willy" Hernangómez Geuer is a Spanish professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association. Standing at, he plays at the center position.

Professional career

Real Madrid (2011–2016)

Considered one of the best prospects of Real Madrid, Hernangómez played his first two seasons on its reserve team. In the summer of 2013, Hernangómez was loaned by Real Madrid to Cajasol Sevilla, extending his agreement for one more season in the next summer. On July 17, 2015, he returned to Real Madrid and played for the senior team in 2015–16. In his lone full season for the senior team, he averaged 5.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in 34 games in the Spanish ACB League.

New York Knicks (2016–2018)

Hernangómez declared for the 2015 NBA draft, and was selected with the 35th overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers. His rights were later traded to the New York Knicks on draft night, in exchange for two future second round draft choices and cash considerations.
On July 8, 2016, Hernangómez signed with the New York Knicks. On October 25, 2016, he made his debut for the Knicks in their season opener, scoring four points in nine minutes off the bench in a 117–88 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. On November 7, 2016, he was assigned to the Westchester Knicks, New York's D-League affiliate. He was recalled later that day. Two days later, he had a season-best 14 points in a 110–96 win over the Brooklyn Nets. On January 25, 2017, he had a career-high 16 rebounds in a 103–95 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. On February 1, 2017, he had 16 points and 16 rebounds in a 95–90 win over the Brooklyn Nets. On February 15, he was named as a replacement on the World Team for the injured Emmanuel Mudiay in 2017 Rising Stars Challenge. On March 25, 2017, he had a career-high 24 points and 13 rebounds in a 106–98 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. On April 9, 2017, he tied his career high with 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 110–97 loss to the Toronto Raptors. Five days later, he was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in April after leading all Eastern Conference rookies in rebounding and ranked second in scoring. At the season's end, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

Charlotte Hornets (2018–present)

On February 7, 2018, Hernangómez was traded to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Johnny O'Bryant III and two future second round draft picks.

National team career

As a member of the junior national teams of Spain, Hernangómez played at the 2012 Albert Schweitzer Tournament, where he was named to the All-Tournament Team. He also played at the 2011 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, where he won a gold medal, and at the 2014 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, where he won a silver medal, and was named to the All-Tournament Team.
He has also been a member of the senior Spain national basketball team. With Spain's senior national team, he played at the EuroBasket 2015, where he won a gold medal, and at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where he won a bronze medal. He also played at the EuroBasket 2017, where he won a bronze medal.

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

EuroLeague

Awards and accomplishments

Club honours

Hernangómez is a son of Guillermo Hernangómez Heredero and Margarita "Wonny" Geuer Draeger. His mother, Margarita, was born in Seville, and is of German origin. His brother, Juan Hernangómez, is also a professional basketball player; he currently plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves.