Where did it go so wrong for Willy Hernangomez: From MVP to basketball oblivion
Rise, peak and big expectations
Not long ago Willy Hernangomez looked like Spain’s future anchor at center. He came up through Real Madrid, then took a shot in the NBA with the Knicks, Hornets and Pelicans. The 2021/22 campaign with New Orleans was statistically one of his best pro seasons, and he capped that period by starring for Spain at EuroBasket 2022, helping the team to gold and earning tournament MVP honors.
After that success many expected a smooth return to Europe — a player with size, solid fundamentals and a knack for rebounding seemed well-suited to thrive at the top level. The narrative felt clear: EuroLeague minutes, steady production, and a chance to re-establish himself as a major force in European basketball.
Stumbles at Barcelona and a hazy future
Reality hasn’t matched those expectations. At Barcelona he never really clicked. Part of the problem was instability on the coaching bench after the previous coach departed, with multiple changes that disrupted continuity. Roster turnover didn’t help either, and a steady starter in Jan Vesely often kept Hernangomez from reclaiming a consistent starting role.
On-court, flashes of what made him so valuable would appear from time to time, but they were brief. Defensive shortcomings grew more noticeable and that contributed to less playing time. When his contract ran out on June 30, 2026, the assumption was he might land with a mid-table Liga Endesa side. Instead, weeks passed and no deal was closed. Rumors tied him to clubs like Baskonia and Unicaja, but reports suggested offers were far below what he earned in Barcelona — possibly a fraction of his previous salary.
There’s still a path back. Players have fallen to career lows and come back stronger, and Hernangomez certainly has the tools to do the same. The big questions are motivation, work ethic and whether a club will give him a role that suits his strengths. If he wants to reverse this slide he’ll need to rebuild aspects of his game — especially defensively — and accept a new chapter, even if it means a pay cut or a smaller role at first. If that doesn’t happen, his career could drift further from the spotlight faster than many anticipated.
