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«I believe in joy, although sometimes they keep me silent» . And there is nothing more to see him in action, the permanent joke, whether with the newcomer, with the totem Gasol or with the giant Willy, his brother , his accomplice. The infinite energy of Juancho Hernangómez only becomes pause and reflection before the recorder. He is the youngest of the national team, but not a rookie or a comparsa. For so many, the key player in this Spain that craves in the World Cup in China , which starts on Saturday, capable of the best, but also earthly fatal in an oversight.

Lucho Juancho as headline in the plans of Scariolo , combining with Claver the positions of three and four, pure versatility, a fleeting eave in a body of 2'06 meters, impudence and intensity of a type that a few months ago, at the dawn of Last season NBA , was seen in the sky of children's dreams. He was an absolute protagonist in the Nuggets - 27 games, more than 30 minutes a night, in November and December -, although little by little his presence was declining to the point of barely counting for Mike Malone in the playoffs . «My moment had arrived. Many minutes, headline, we were winning, a happy moment. Because people doubted us with injuries. We took a step forward, it was beautiful. A shame it will last so short. But I don't feel disappointed or disappointed, ”he confesses to EL MUNDO before leaving for Ningbó, where Spain has played the last test since tomorrow, a tournament in which he will face Argentina and Russia.

But Juancho, who already knows about setbacks despite his precocity - as a teenager he broke his knee twice and was rejected by Real Madrid -, he taught the bad drink. «Our parents taught us all three the good things about sport, but above all to learn from the bad, because there are hard times. Injuries, mental issues, performance downturns or problems of anyone », tells about Wonny Geuer and Guillermo Hernangómez , former players both, especially her, legend of the women's team. «Those values ​​have been helping us. And they always instilled in us that without effort there is no reward. That is the key. And go on, on, on, on, on ... and every year a little more. The constancy, ”he reflects, to explain how he did not fall apart from ostracism. «I gave it my all. All he had. I played injured [he operated pubalgia two days after finishing the course]. There were days that I couldn't even get up. I gave it all (he insists). No one can throw anything in my face. I would have liked to play in that final stretch , but I will not protest, because the team went very well, and although I did not play, it was the first that encouraged, the first who was going to train, the first who tried to motivate everyone » , admit.

ID

  • Born in Madrid, in 1995
  • Son of two former players, his brothers Willy and Andrea also play
  • Student Canterano, in 2016 he was chosen in the draft by the Nuggets
  • He debuted with Spain in the European 2017

The next course, the runaway Colt , as he likes to be called, his future is played. He could have chosen, like so many, to please his franchise, but World wanted: "The Nuggets know that my decision is to try to be with Spain every time . " He wanted the team that made the world known in the 2017 Eurobasket , although he relativizes when his case is compared, or Marc's, with others. «It has to be understood. The normal thing for the body is to have a free summer, rest and work. The seasons are very hard, physically and mentally. You can ask Marc how he was when he came from the Finals, shattered. And still, it's here. That shows a lot about him. But you also have to understand the cases of Mirotic or Chacho. They are my friends, I have talked to them and I respect their decision . His position has been unfairly criticized, because after all we are first people and then players. They need time for their family, their children, ”he argues.

«I don't see the World Cup as a matter of claiming or demonstrating anything . I am the same as always. That goes well, great. That goes wrong, keep working. I trust this group and Scariolo a lot. I am convinced that we are going to play a great role » . But from a great Juancho to a bad Juancho during the tournament, Spain is doing so much ... "It's not pressure," he insists.

But let's go back to joy. «I will always be like that, be 50 or 70 years old . In a good working environment the best of each one comes out. You have to take care of those little details. In the end, La Familia is that, like when you are with your true family ».

Does the Nuggets also act like this? Ask anyone. I am the first one who is screaming, who is joking, with anyone. Everyone loves me very much. And Jokic? He is one of my best friends. We have dinner almost every day after the games, we eat, we talk, we play the Play ... His family is awesome, he comes from a very humble world. What he likes most are horses, he prefers them to anything. And he's a normal, hardworking boy. Even if you see him that way, the physical form he has, he works his body four or five hours every day. Is he as good as he looks? He is a spectacular talent, the best I've seen in my life. I owe him a lot, because he helps me, he looks for me, he loves me on the team.

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  • sports
  • Sergio Scariolo
  • Juancho Hernangómez
  • Nikola Jokic
  • basketball
  • Basketball World Cup 2019
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Spanish Basketball Team

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