Unicaja held its Media Day ahead of its Liga Endesa opener, scheduled for Sunday at 7:00 PM at the Movistar Arena. It will be a special game for Willy Hernangómez, who came through Real Madrid’s youth academy and is returning to the Spanish capital after three seasons with Barcelona.
The Madrid-born center is one of Unicaja’s main offseason additions and spoke openly about his return to Madrid.
“I’m a Real Madrid fan, I’ll always support them”
Hernangómez does not expect a particularly hostile reception from Real Madrid fans.
“I don’t think Real Madrid fans have anything against me. I will always be grateful to Real Madrid and its fans. It is the club where I grew up and developed. I’m a Real Madrid fan, so I will always support them and cheer for them.”
The big man also explained how his perspective has changed after moving from Barcelona to Unicaja.
“Now the perspective is different. I’m coming from Barça and I’m at Unicaja, but there isn’t as much rivalry anymore as there may have been in the past.”
“I’m recovering a lot of sensations”
Hernangómez has shown encouraging signs during preseason. He recorded 16 points, 11 rebounds and a 32 PIR against Tenerife at the Costa del Sol Tournament, before finishing with 21 points and 10 rebounds against Obradoiro in the final preseason game.
“I’m recovering a lot of sensations. I feel happy on the court, I’m enjoying myself and feeling more and more dominant on both ends. I’m gaining confidence and, above all, I’m really enjoying being with my teammates, competing, practicing and working.”
“Hopefully I can help the team as much as possible, get wins and help the club, because they are also helping me. The least I can do is give everything I have to help them.”
A full preseason after several years
Hernangómez also highlighted the importance of completing an entire preseason with a club after several years of commitments with the Spanish national team.
“I’m working very hard both on and off the court, in the gym with Marcos, but I’m very happy. It had been a long time since I completed a preseason with a club, and there’s no better place to do it than here.”
“I’m already looking forward to the season starting, getting into the routine of competing and continuing to grow. At the end of the day, the year is very long.”
“I feel at home in Malaga”
The center also spoke positively about his adaptation to Malaga.
“I knew that both Unicaja and the city were spectacular places, but since I arrived I’ve felt very comfortable. My teammates and everyone at the club, from the president to Txus, have helped me tremendously. I’ve felt at home since the first day.”
“The only thing I have to do is give 120% in every practice and every game. Sometimes it will be more on defense, other times rebounding or scoring, but the important thing is that the team can get as many wins as possible.”
“Vidorreta gives me responsibility”
New head coach Txus Vidorreta is giving Hernangómez an important role within the system.
“He makes me very involved on both ends of the court, gives me responsibility, allows me to make decisions and puts me in situations where I can show my best version.”
“There are many things I have to improve and he is teaching me and helping me do that, while also allowing me to maximize the things I already know how to do.”
“I’m not here to prove anything”
Hernangómez rejected the idea that his move to Malaga represents a form of revenge after his time at Barcelona.
“I’m not here to prove anything. I’m here to work and enjoy myself in a magnificent place like Malaga, with Unicaja and basketball.”
“Those of us who have arrived know that Unicaja have won many titles and played very good basketball over the last few years. Now it’s up to us to work, try to make the fans enjoy themselves again and, above all, compete.”
Source: AS
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