Willy Hernangomez

Willy Hernangomez's Biography

Guillermo Gustavo, lovingly known as ‘Willy’ Hernangómez Geuer, was born on May 27, 1994, in Spain. This 7 feet tall Spaniard has made a name for himself as a professional basketball player, playing as the center for FC Barcelona. His career spans across the Spanish Liga ACB, the Euroleague, and the NBA with multiple teams.

Initially seen as a promising talent for Real Madrid, he spent his first two seasons playing for their reserve team. In 2013, he was loaned to Cajasol Sevilla by Real Madrid which was then extended for another season. His return to Real Madrid in 2015 witnessed his inclusion in their senior team for the 2015-2016 season. He played a total of 34 games for the Spanish ACB League and averaged 5.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.

In the world of NBA, his journey began with the 2015 draft where he was the 35th pick by the Philadelphia 76ers. On the same night, he was traded to the New York Knicks in exchange for two future second-round draft choices and cash considerations.

His official sign-up with the Knicks took place on July 8, 2016, and he had his exciting debut with the team on October 25, 2016, scoring four points off the bench in a 117-88 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. A short stint with the Westchester Knicks, the D-League affiliate of the New York Knicks, saw him performing well in matches against the Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks, sometimes even having career-high rebounds.

His commendable performance throughout his career even saw him replacing Emmanuel Mudiay in the 2017 Rising Stars Challenge and bagging the title of the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in April that year. As a valued addition to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, he was later traded to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Johnny O’Bryant III in 2018. After two years, he signed with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2020.

His return to his home country’s league happened in 2023 when he signed a lucrative three-year contract with FC Barcelona. This was after Real Madrid, his former club, decided against matching the offer per the Spanish league’s rule of tanteo rights.

Not just in the domestic and international leagues, Hernangómez has also represented Spain in various national and international tournaments. His engagement with the junior national teams of Spain saw him playing in the 2012 Albert Schweitzer Tournament and the 2011 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, bagging a gold medal. The 2014 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship saw him winning a silver medal as well.

He has also represented Spain in senior national team matches, participating in EuroBasket 2015, the 2016 Summer Olympics, and EuroBasket 2017, winning gold and bronze medals. His stellar performances continued in the 2019 FIBA World Cup where he added another gold to his name. In the EuroBasket 2022, he had a crucial role in leading Spain to a surprising victory against France, which earned him the EuroBasket MVP recognition.

Hernangómez comes from an athletic lineage, being the son of Guillermo Hernangómez Heredero and Margarita “Wonny” Geuer Draeger. His German-origin mother Margarita was born in Seville, Spain. His brother Juancho Hernangómez is also a professional basketball player currently signed with Greek club Panathinaikos.

In summary, ‘Willy’ Hernangómez Geuer is a Spanish basketball star whose career has been decorated with notable accolades and recognition. His contribution to the Spanish Liga ACB, Euroleague, and the NBA exemplifies his stellar skills and commitment to the sport. His journey and successes provide a significant contribution to the basketball scene and inspire aspiring athletes.