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Knicks Rumors: Reasons To Love The Willy Hernangomez Signing

By Maxwell Ogden

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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3. Professional Experience

Not many will contest the belief that Spain’s Liga ACB is the best international basketball league in the world. Countless NBA players have come from Liga ACB, including Arvydas Sabonis, Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol, Luis Scola, and Ricky Rubio.

Liga ACB isn’t exactly the NBA, but while most 22-year-olds have gone to college, Willy Hernangomez has been taking graduate courses in Spain.

Real Madrid signed Hernangomez in 2011, and he immediately made his name on the reserve team. In 2013, he was loaned to Sevilla, where he achieved immediate success and fame with impressive statistics.

In other words, at 22 years of age, Hernangomez already has extensive experience as a professional basketball player—an undeniable advantage.

In 2014-15, Hernangomez averaged 18.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.1 offensive boards, and 1.7 steals per 36 minutes between Liga ACB and Euroleague play. This past season, Hernangomez’s per 36 numbers were 17.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.0 offensive boards, 1.7 blocks, and 1.1 steals.

Again, Liga ACB isn’t the NBA, but Hernangomez has already played at the highest international level and excelled.

Next: Tremendous Motor

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