New Raptor Juancho Hernangómez had a tough summer to beat

Oliver2022-09-27

Many people have had a pandemic puppy to help them through all those difficult months of COVID-19 isolation.

Juancho Hernangómez has had a pandemic acting career.

Two years ago, when no one could go anywhere and the days and weeks ticked by endlessly, the new Raptor was spending time with his sister Andrea and brother Willy in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was suggested to submit a video, on a whim. , for this film project that revolved around: an unlucky agent finds a young basketball phenomenon to groom, with a somewhat predictable result. Hernangómez said to himself: why not?

And from those humble and unlikely beginnings came Bo Cruz, the character of Hernangómez in Adam Sandler’s acclaimed film « Hustle » earlier this year.

« I didn’t expect to be in a movie or to be an actor, » Hernangómez said at Raptors media day.

« (My family) didn’t do anything, they asked me for three more casting interviews. They loved me. I don’t know why – if I’m talented or – but I kept going through the process of casting. I had an interview with an acting teacher, then I had an interview with Adam, then two years later we got the movie. It was fun. »

The movie kicked off a pretty good year for the six-foot-nine forward. The 26-year-old was signed to a guaranteed one-year contract worth around $2.3 million (US) from the Raptors in July and spent September winning a gold medal at the EuroBasket with the Spanish national team, punctuated by a performance of 27 points in the final. against France.

« I’ve seen him a lot on the international stage and he’s played for some coaching friends I have in the league, » Raptors coach Nick Nurse said. “He has a good idea of how to play the game, just in general. He’s got a good IQ, he understands spacing, communication, all those sorts of things. So it’s always good. »

Hernangómez matches the Raptors as a big wing shooter with defensive ability off the bench. And after a special few months, why wouldn’t fans expect it to continue?

« I know he had an amazing summer. Who had a better summer than him? The nurse said, before it was pointed out that Willy Hernangómez also had a pretty special one.

« Well, he acted in a movie, first of all it was pretty damn good and everyone watched, and then he got a gold medal. I think his brother has some catching up to do.