Unicaja hires Willy Hernangómez for the next season

Unicaja Baloncesto has announced the incorporation for next season of the Madrid center Willy Hernangómez, 32 years old and 2.10 meters tall, who arrives in Malaga after a long career in the NBA and Euroleague that has led him to be “a dominant player” in the Spanish team.

This is how Unicaja defined it this Tuesday after reaching an agreement with Willy Hernangómez who will bring him “gallons.” “His experience at the highest level, his talent and his leadership with the Spanish team make him an outstanding reinforcement for the team,” indicated the press release about the former Real Madrid and more recently FC Barcelona center.

“Hernangómez stands out for being a center with a great ability to play close to the rim, notable footwork and remarkable ability to finish with both hands. To this he combines a great rebounding instinct, the ability to generate advantages in the low post and a good vision of the game to assist from the paint. His physical presence and knowledge of the game allow him to be an offensive reference and provide solidity under the rim,” summarized the Malaga entity about its brand new signing.

During last season with Barça he averaged 7.7 points (65.2% on 2-point shots) and 3.9 rebounds in just 14 minutes on the court in the Endesa League, while in the Euroleague he averaged 5.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in 13 minutes, losing the prominence that was assumed for him.

“His record with the Spanish team places him among the great references of national basketball in recent years. He has won the 2019 World Cup, the 2015 and 2022 EuroBaskets, also winning the 2022 EuroBasket MVP award (averaging 17.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and one assist), as well as the bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the bronze in the 2017 Eurobasket,” the note added.

“His weight within the national team has been decisive over the last decade, becoming one of the pillars of the generation that has kept Spain among the great powers of international basketball,” the Unicaja press release stressed.

“Another aspect to take into account is that he knows the Unicaja coach, Txus Vidorreta, with whom he coincided in the Spanish team during the 2015 and 2016 concentrations when he was part of the coaching staff led by Sergio Scariolo. Likewise, he has also shared a locker room in numerous calls with the team captain,” point guard Alberto Díaz, a regular on ‘La Familia’, was mentioned.

Finally, the press release stressed that Unicaja “incorporates” thanks to Hernangómez “a player of international stature and proven experience who will strengthen the team’s internal game.”