The most surprising player from each NBA team this season
By Connor Learn
New York Knicks: Guillermo ‘Willy’ Hernangomez
Willy Hernangomez is one of a handful of young big men from Europe exceeding expectations this season. The 22-year-old Spaniard was considered a rising prospect on Real Madrid’s basketball club when he was drafted with the 35th pick by the 76ers in 2015. His rights were acquired by the Knicks on draft night. They signed him to a contract this summer and brought him over to New York.
Knicks fans didn’t know what to expect out of Hernangomez this season; few expected him to become a quality rotation player. That is exactly what he has managed to do. Hernangomez moves pretty well for his size, which allows him to rebound well and be an asset in the pick-and-roll game. He has scored efficiently — currently shooting 53.4 percent from the floor. His 14 rebounds per 36 minutes is an impressive rate.
With his abilities, Willy Hernangomez may stick around in the NBA for a long time. His role has been growing of late, giving the Knicks a fourth big with Kristaps Porzingis, Joakim Noah, and Kyle O’Quinn. He has taken some of Noah and O’Quinn’s minutes and could continue to do so if his level of play doesn’t fall off. Under contract with New York for the next four years, he could potentially become a long term running mate to Porzingis. The future may be bright for Hernangomez in New York.