The pair would go on to have stellar careers in the NBA, playing for a combined nine teams - though sadly, never together. Denver, Colorado, USA Charlotte Hornets center Willy Hernangomez (9) greets his brother Denver Nuggets forward Juan Hernangomez (41) following a game. Like Juancho, Willy had also gained experience with Spain's youth national teams, winning gold at the 2011 U-18 European Championships as well as silver alongside his brother at the 2014 U-20 tournament in Greece. Willy had made the leap to the NBA one year earlier after being selected with the 35th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers (he was subsequently traded to the New York Knicks that same night) after impressing with Real Madrid's senior team. His stellar play on the international circuit and with Estudiantes meant that the 2.06m, 97kg forward started to draw interest from NBA teams, and in 2016 he was selected by the Denver Nuggets with the 15th overall pick in the NBA Draft. Juancho signed his first professional contract in 2012 when he joined CB Estudiantes in the following years he also helped Spain win bronze at the 2013 European U-18 Championships and silver at the 20 U-20 tournaments. It wasn't long before the Hernangomezes graduated from backyard battles with their parents to competitive youth basketball: Juancho with the youth teams of CB Las Rozas, Real Madrid and Club Baloncesto Majadahonda, Willy with Real Madrid's youth academy. The Spaniard barely flinched following the blow, later telling the New York Times: "Maybe he felt pain in his elbow." Once again, an elbow was thrown - but this time it came from Howard, who had had enough of the pushing, prodding, and general nuissance that was Hernangomez. But the incident was a sign of things to come, as he and his brother have become well known for their toughness and tenacity on the court - not to mention their ability to get under their opponents' skin.įor example, in 2016, Willy, who was less than a month into his NBA career, suited up for the New York Knicks in a game against the Atlanta Hawks and Dwight Howard - at the time one of the league's most renowned big men. That was a long time ago, and it's fair to say that Willy is his mum's No.1 fan - after all, he carries her last name - 'Geur' on his national team jersey. In one such contest, Margarita fouled Willy on the next play, Willy, on offense, hit her in the face with his elbow. ![]() All three kids come from exceptional basketball stock: their father, Guillermo Hernangómez Heredero, played for Real Madrid Baloncesto and Club Baloncesto Estudiantes, S.A.D during his career, and their mother is 1993 EuroBasket champion Margarita 'Wonny' Geuer.īut sometimes those friendly family games of two-on-two could get a little. As teenagers, the brothers - who also have a sister, Andrea (born in 2000), who plays basketball for Fairfield University in the United States and the Spanish junior national teams - would regularly play against their parents, which was actually pretty tough competition. ![]() ![]() Willy and Juancho were born in Madrid almost two years apart (Willy in 1994, Juancho in 1995). The Hernangomezes' actual journey to the NBA
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