Willy Hernangometh: “I love playing as a rival to Papagiannis”

His acquisition Willie Hernangometh from Barcelona and the repatriation of the Spanish center after eight years in the USA and the NBA, was one of the biggest transfer bombs of this summer.

The 29-year-old tall of the “Blaugrana” was hosted in the Italian “basketinsie”, where he talked about return of in Europe, but also the selection of wearing the Barca shirt, as of course for the centers he likes to face in the Euroleague, mentioning among other things the name of George Papagiannis!

Willy Hernangometh’s statements:



For Barcelona: “I love being back, especially in Barcelona, ​​it’s home. I am very well since the first days. Although everyone knows I’m from Madrid and I played for Real when I was young, Barcelona gave me the chance to feel like a basketball player and happy again. This was one of the things I was waiting for. The team is great, we have very good chemistry between us and I also play with some of my teammates from the national team. I know some players like Satoransky. I feel comfortable in the team, along with the kids and the coaching staff. The team is growing, we are working hard, we have the same goal which is to win and I hope we can do it”.

For Real: “Real Madrid didn’t want me. Of course there was interest from teams that knew the situation. The biggest clubs in Europe wanted me but I chose to be home with my family after almost 8 years in the USA. I needed to be with my family because of the time I lost away from them. I am very happy to be in Barcelona and Barcelona. It’s a great city, a great team, I couldn’t have made a better choice. I’m happy with my decision.”

On who he considers the top centers in Europe: “There are a lot of good players, a lot of good centers. I would say my teammate, Jan Vesely. I think he is a legend in Europe, one of the best players in the Euroleague. He is very smart and works very hard. Other tall guys that I love to play against, I would say Serge Ibaka who is coming back now and George Papagiannis. Too many tall people in Europe! Like Walter Tavares. I love playing against them.”