Juancho Hernangómez is entering a new chapter with Spain. The Panathinaikos forward, who serves as the national team’s vice-captain, is preparing for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers against Portugal and Greece while also taking on a leadership role around Spain’s emerging prospects, including Aday Mara, Hugo González and Baba Miller.
Speaking from Spain’s training camp in Zaragoza to ‘El Programa de Ortega’, Hernangómez discussed the national team’s transition, the difficult experience at the last EuroBasket, his long-term future with Panathinaikos and the arrival of Zeljko Obradovic.
Hernangómez excited by Spain’s young talent
The veteran forward is looking forward to sharing the national team environment with the latest generation of Spanish prospects.
“I’m really looking forward to playing with them. I’ve known them for years and seeing how they have developed… they come with a lot of desire and I think the national team looks very good for the coming years. They have a lot of talent, they are good people and they compete,” Hernangómez said.
Spain is now beginning a new cycle following its disappointing group-stage exit at the last EuroBasket and the conclusion of Sergio Scariolo’s tenure.
“We learned from the last EuroBasket”
Despite the disappointment, Hernangómez believes the tournament provided valuable lessons for the team and for the players involved.
“You suffer, but it wasn’t one of the worst moments I’ve had in my career. You learn from everything. I think it was a championship to learn from.”
The forward also recalled conversations with Rudy Fernández and Sergio Llull after Spain’s elimination, emphasizing the importance of experiencing difficult moments during a career.
“I was lucky enough to arrive, touch the sky and win, but when we lost, talking to Rudy and Llull, they told me that the difficult part is that: starting, learning, allowing young players to gain experience. Nothing happens, you learn from everything. You have to live through the bad experiences, and to enjoy the good ones you have to go through difficult moments. We have learned from it and now we have a new challenge.”
Why Hernangómez chose to remain at Panathinaikos
Hernangómez also addressed his decision to continue with Panathinaikos despite receiving interest from other clubs.
“I have found a place where I am very happy. The way they live basketball… the first year was very difficult, but we won everything and when you win there, you make history.”
The relationship he has built with the club and its supporters played a major role in his decision.
“I feel very loved and appreciated. I had one year left on my contract, I did have offers from other teams and I think Panathinaikos would have let me leave, but I think the best thing was to continue there long-term, feeling very loved by the fans, the owner and the coach. It is a decision I really liked.”
Hernangómez looking forward to working with Obradovic
The next stage of his Panathinaikos career will see Hernangómez work under Zeljko Obradovic, who has returned to the Athens club after more than a decade.
The Spanish forward understands the enormous expectations surrounding the team.
“That is the pressure we live with at Panathinaikos. We sign the best of the best and it is not enough for us to reach a final, we have to go for titles. They live it that way, betting strongly on the best available players and winning. We have no other option.”
For Hernangómez, however, Obradovic’s arrival is also an opportunity to learn from one of European basketball’s most accomplished coaches.
“They brought Obradovic, who is a legend. He has won the EuroLeague there six times and I’m really looking forward to learning from him. I spoke with him before my renewal. I like learning from the best.”
Hernangómez still dreams of retiring at Estudiantes
Hernangómez began his professional career with Estudiantes before eventually moving to the NBA and then continuing his career in Europe with Panathinaikos.
His connection with the Madrid club remains strong, and he still has a clear idea of how he would like his career to end.
“I have always said that I would like to return to Estudiantes and retire where everything started, but in the end life changes a lot.”
A return to Estudiantes would therefore represent his ideal ending, although Hernangómez knows his career has already taken him places he never expected.
“Of course it would be a dream ending, but I never expected to play in Greece and feel so loved,” he concluded.
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