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Juancho Hernangómez Feels Loved at Panathinaikos, Eager to Work with Obradović
🇬🇷 Greece /Sports

Juancho Hernangómez Feels Loved at Panathinaikos, Eager to Work with Obradović

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Interview Sources not specified Context piece
  • Spanish forward Juancho Hernangómez expressed feeling loved and valued at Panathinaikos, which influenced his decision to renew his contract with the Greek basketball club.
  • Despite receiving offers from other teams, Hernangómez chose to stay with Panathinaikos, citing the team's passion for basketball and the desire to win titles.
  • He is particularly looking forward to working with legendary coach Željko Obradović, whom he considers a great learning opportunity.

Spanish forward Juancho Hernangómez is currently with his national team in Spain, preparing for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers, where Greece is slated to be an opponent for "La Furia Roja." In a recent interview with Marca, Hernangómez discussed his choice to extend his contract with Panathinaikos, revealing that while other clubs made offers, he ultimately opted to remain in Athens.

I found a place where I am very happy with the way they live and breathe for basketball… It was a very difficult first year, but we won everything, and when you win there, it's something epic. I feel that I am loved and highly valued. Being loved is always good.

— Juancho HernangómezDescribing his positive experience and feelings at Panathinaikos.

"I found a place where I am very happy with the way they live and breathe for basketball... It was a very difficult first year, but we won everything, and when you win there, it's epic. I feel that I am loved and highly valued. Being loved is always good," Hernangómez told Marca. He acknowledged having another year left on his contract and receiving other proposals, but felt Panathinaikos would not let him leave. He believes staying long-term is the best decision due to the affection he feels from the fans, owner, and coach.

Hernangómez described the pressure at Panathinaikos as immense, stating that the team aims to recruit the best players and that reaching a final is insufficient; they must contend for titles. "This is the pressure we experience at Panathinaikos. We recruit the best of the best, and reaching a final is not enough for us. We have to compete for titles, and that's how they see it too; they want to invest significantly in the best available players and win. We have no other choice."

This is the pressure we experience at Panathinaikos. We recruit the best of the best, and reaching a final is not enough for us. We have to compete for titles, and that's how they see it too; they want to invest significantly in the best available players and win. We have no other choice.

— Juancho HernangómezExplaining the high expectations and competitive drive within the Panathinaikos team.

The arrival of Željko Obradović, a six-time EuroLeague champion with Panathinaikos, was a significant factor. "They brought in Obradović, who is a legend. He has won the EuroLeague six times there, and I am really looking forward to learning from him. I spoke with him before renewing my contract. I like learning from the best," Hernangómez added.

They brought in Obradović, who is a legend. He has won the EuroLeague six times there, and I am really looking forward to learning from him. I spoke with him before renewing my contract. I like learning from the best.

— Juancho HernangómezExpressing his anticipation of working with coach Željko Obradović.
About this summary

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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