By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
On Friday, Barcelona (4-1) will welcome Panathinaikos (2-3) in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season Round 6 in what will be a family affair for the Hernangomez brothers, with Willy playing at home against his brother Juancho in their first clash since coming back to Europe.
Talking to FC Barcelona’s official website, the Catalan side’s center commented ahead of the game. “It is a really special one because we are facing each other for the first time in the Euroleague and after so many years in the NBA, above all for the family, it will be emotional. That said, the minute the ball is in play, we are opponents and for us, it will be important to get the win in front of our own fans”, he said.
Moreover, it will be a clash in the same zone of the court, under the rim. “He’s a really difficult player to defend against. He’s very versatile and he has a lot of qualities: he can shoot, he can penetrate, he is an excellent offensive rebounder, he reads the game really well and he is smart. I will give Abrines and Kalinic some tips so they can get ready. On the other hand, if he is defending me then that means we have men over, so I prefer him to do it rather than one of the Greek side’s centres”, the 29-year-old stated about facing his younger brother.
Finally, he also touched on eventually playing for the same team. “That would be a dream. To be able to share a club dressing room with my brother is something we have still to do. If playing with him on the national team is incredible, then fighting for trophies at the same club would be marvelous. Let’s hope it can happen”, Willy Hernangomez went on to add.
Playing under head coach Ergin Ataman, Juancho Hernangomez has been struggling at the start of this year’s EuroLeague, averaging 5.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game with the Greek powerhouse. Representing Barcelona, his 29-year-old brother is putting up 11.4 points and 5.0 boards per game.
PHOTO CREDIT: 2019 FIBA World Cup