MADRID, 13 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Barça consummated this Thursday at midnight and “for all intents and purposes” the signing of the Spanish center Willy Hernangómez for the next three seasons, until June 30, 2026, after Real Madrid had not exercised their right of first refusal to equalize the economic offer culé.
“The club, which had submitted a qualified offer to the ACB because the player was subject to the right of first refusal, had to wait until midnight to find out if Real Madrid, the club that had his rights in the Endesa League, had matched the offer. If this is not the case, Willy is, for all intents and purposes, a Barça player”, indicated the culé entity on its website.
Hernangómez, 29 years old and 2.11 meters tall, will thus return to the Endesa League after seven years in the NBA. On July 1, the Madrid center had been left without a team as a result of the New Orleans Pelicans deciding not to extend his contract, after having served in his ranks for the last three seasons.
With this, Hernangómez settled seven consecutive seasons in the NBA, where he had also played for the New York Knicks (2016-18) and the Charlotte Hornets (2018-20). Previously, the eldest of the Hernangómez had started his professional career at Real Madrid (2012-16); In addition, he played two seasons on loan at CB Sevilla (2013-15).
“With the Spanish team, his role has gone from less to more over the years. The absences, first of Pau Gasol and, later, of his brother Marc, gave him the opportunity to be the starting center in the last Eurobasket He knew how to take advantage of it perfectly, “added the note.
“Spain was proclaimed champion and he was designated MVP of the tournament, with nine games played (22.4 minutes; 17.2 points; 6.9 rebounds). The overall numbers with the Spanish team are 84 games played (14.29 minutes; 9.5 points; 4.5 rebounds)”, concluded the press text.