Willy Hernangómez facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Willy Hernangómez

Hernangómez with the Charlotte Hornets in 2018
No. 14 – FC Barcelona
Center
Personal information
Born	(1994-05-27) 27 May 1994 (age 31) Madrid, Spain
Listed height	7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
Listed weight	250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
NBA Draft	2015 / Round: 2 / Pick: 35th overall
Selected by the Philadelphia 76ers
Pro career	2011–present
League	Liga ACB Euroleague
Career history
2011–2013	Real Madrid B
2013–2016	Real Madrid
2013–2015	→Sevilla
2016–2018	New York Knicks
2018–2020	Charlotte Hornets
2020–2023	New Orleans Pelicans
2023–present	FC Barcelona
Career highlights and awards
NBA All-Rookie First Team (2017) FIBA EuroBasket MVP (2022) 2× Liga ACB champion (2013, 2016) 2× Catalan League champion (2023, 2024) 2× ACB All-Young Players Team (2015, 2016) Catalan League MVP (2024)
Medals Men's basketball Representing  Spain Olympic Games Bronze 2016 Rio de Janeiro Team World Cup Gold 2019 China EuroBasket Gold 2015 France Gold 2022 Germany Bronze 2017 Turkey U20 European Championship Silver 2014 Greece Team U18 European Championship Gold 2011 Poland Team

Guillermo Gustavo "Willy" Hernangómez Geuer (born on May 27, 1994) is a Spanish professional basketball player. He plays for FC Barcelona in Spain's top league, Liga ACB, and in the Euroleague. Standing at 7 feet (2.13 meters) tall, he plays as a center. A center's main job is to score close to the basket, grab rebounds, and block shots. Willy has also won several medals playing for the Spanish national team.

Willy's Basketball Journey

Starting with Real Madrid (2011–2016)

Willy Hernangómez was seen as a very promising young player for Real Madrid, a famous Spanish basketball club. He started his career playing for their reserve team for two seasons.

In 2013, Real Madrid loaned Willy to another team, Cajasol Sevilla, so he could get more playing time and experience. He stayed there for two seasons.

In 2015, he returned to Real Madrid and joined their main team. During his full season with the senior team, he played well. He averaged about 5.7 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in the Spanish ACB League.

Playing in the NBA: New York Knicks (2016–2018)

Willy Hernangómez playing for the Knicks in 2017

Willy decided to enter the 2015 NBA draft. This is where NBA teams pick new players. He was chosen as the 35th player overall by the Philadelphia 76ers. However, his rights were quickly traded to the New York Knicks on the same night.

On July 8, 2016, Willy officially signed with the New York Knicks. He made his first NBA appearance on October 25, 2016. He scored four points in nine minutes during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Willy also spent some time with the Westchester Knicks, which is the Knicks' team in the D-League. This helped him get more playing time. He had some great games, like scoring 14 points against the Brooklyn Nets and grabbing 16 rebounds against the Dallas Mavericks.

In February 2017, Willy was chosen to play in the Rising Stars Challenge. This game features the best young players in the NBA. He continued to improve, scoring a career-high 24 points in a game against the San Antonio Spurs. At the end of the season, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. This means he was one of the best first-year players in the entire NBA!

Moving to the Charlotte Hornets (2018–2020)

On February 7, 2018, Willy was traded to the Charlotte Hornets. He continued to play in the NBA with this team for two seasons.

Joining the New Orleans Pelicans (2020–2023)

After his time with the Hornets, Willy signed with the New Orleans Pelicans on November 30, 2020. He played for the Pelicans for three seasons.

Back to Spain: FC Barcelona (2023–Present)

On July 12, 2023, Willy made a big move back to Spain. He signed a three-year contract with FC Barcelona, a major rival of his former team, Real Madrid.

Playing for Spain: National Team Career

Junior National Team Success

Willy has been a key player for Spain's national basketball teams since he was young.

• In 2011, he won a gold medal at the 2011 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship.
• In 2014, he won a silver medal at the 2014 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship. He was also named to the All-Tournament Team, meaning he was one of the best players in the competition.

Senior National Team Achievements

Willy has also played for the senior Spain national basketball team. He has helped Spain win many important medals:

• Gold Medal at EuroBasket 2015.
• Bronze Medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
• Bronze Medal at EuroBasket 2017.
• Gold Medal at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
• Gold Medal at EuroBasket 2022. In this tournament, he was named the FIBA EuroBasket MVP, which means he was the most valuable player of the entire competition! He averaged 17.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.

Willy's Family Life

Willy comes from a family of basketball players! His parents are Guillermo Hernangómez Heredero and Margarita "Wonny" Geuer Draeger. His mother, Margarita, was also a professional basketball player. Willy's brother, Juancho Hernangómez, is also a professional basketball player. He currently plays for a team in Greece called Panathinaikos.

Awards and Accomplishments

Team Awards

• Spanish League (Liga ACB) Champion: 2013, 2016
• Spanish Cup (Copa del Rey) Winner: 2016
• Spanish Supercup (Supercopa de España) Winner: 2012
• FIBA Intercontinental Cup Winner: 2015

Spain National Team Medals

• Gold Medal: EuroBasket 2015
• Bronze Medal: 2016 Summer Olympics
• Bronze Medal: EuroBasket 2017
• Gold Medal: 2019 World Cup
• Gold Medal: EuroBasket 2022

Individual Awards

• All-Tournament Team: 2012 Albert Schweitzer Tournament
• All-Tournament Team: 2014 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship
• EuroCup MVP of the Week: 2014–15 (Week 8)
• ACB All-Young Players Team: 2015, 2016
• NBA All-Rookie First Team: 2017
• EuroBasket MVP: 2022
• EuroBasket All-Tournament Team: 2022

Images for kids

• 

  Willy Hernangómez playing for the Knicks in 2017

See also

In Spanish: Willy Hernangómez para niños