Willy Hernangómez is a Spanish basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the NBA who plays the center position. Hernangómez entered the 2015 NBA draft and was picked by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 35th overall choice. On draft night, his rights were transferred to the New York Knicks for two future second-round draft picks and monetary considerations.
He made his Knicks debut on October 25, 2016, in their season opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers, scoring four points in nine minutes off the bench in a 117–88 defeat. In a 110–96 victory against the Brooklyn Nets two days later, he set a season high with 14 points. In a 103–95 defeat against the Dallas Mavericks on January 25, 2017, he set a career best with 16 rebounds. In a 95–90 victory against the Brooklyn Nets on February 1, 2017, he recorded 16 points and 16 rebounds.
In the 2017 Rising Stars Challenge, he was picked as a substitute for the injured Emmanuel Mudiay on the World Team on February 15th. After leading all Eastern Conference rookies in rebounding (8.5 rpg) and ranking second in scoring, he was voted Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in April five days later (12.5 ppg). He was chosen to the NBA All-Rookie First Team at the conclusion of the season.
He’s also played for Spain’s senior national basketball team. He earned a gold medal and a bronze medal with Spain’s senior national team at the EuroBasket 2015 and the 2016 Summer Olympics, respectively. He also competed in the 2017 EuroBasket, winning a bronze medal.
Hernangómez signed with the New Orleans Pelicans on November 30, 2020.
