By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Being part of the passing of the torch from Pau and Marc Gasol to himself and his older brother Willy makes Juancho Hernangomez feel privileged. The 23-year-old forward is emerging into a leader for Spain in the 2019 FIBA World Cup. He talked to FIBA on the chance to learn from Marc Gasol himself at China.
“I go out there and try to grab the rebounds and play with intensity” said Hernangomez who is currently averaging 12 points and 6.8 rebounds per World Cup contest. “I’m just trying to do my job. I’m working really hard every day and trying to win for my country.”
Pau Gasol missed the trip to China due to injury forcing the Denver Nuggets player to step up. “I feel more confident and I understand that I have more responsibility in the team now” he mentioned. On being mentored by Pau’s brother, Marc: “The World Cup is a great opportunity for myself to be a better player and person by learning from Marc, who is a great player and leader.”
“Time passes for everyone, including Pau and I,” confesses Marc Gasol. “Eventually we got to pass the ethics we have as a team, the DNA we have, hopefully guys like Juancho and Willy see it and live it. Everyone has different talent but it’s about the way you should carry yourself. And understanding the DNA of the team and what you are playing for.”
“I would be so happy about that because Juancho and Willy are extremely talented players,” notes head coach Sergio Scariolo on the Hernangomez brothers. “They have needed experience on the court because they are in and out when they play in the NBA.”
“To be great like Marc and Pau have been, they need to have concentration and make the right decisions. They need to overcome obstacles when they have bad nights” he added. “The World Cup is a great chance for them to prove themselves in bigger roles.”
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL