In an unexpected turn of events, Juancho Hernangomez has elected to join the Denver Nuggets in Las Vegas for Summer League rather then represent his native country of Spain at the Rio Olympics. This was conveyed through a rough translation from the Spanish Basketball Federation that reads as such:
“In the hours before the announcement of the list of players summoned for the preparation of the Olympic Games, and because of the circumstances of his selection at the 15th position in the NBA draft, Juancho Hernangómez has sent to the FEB his decision to participate in the Summer League, which precludes his inclusion in the call for the selection…”
To remove himself from potentially solidifying his name in his country’s rich history of international basketball to join a Denver Nuggets Summer League team seems peculiar. While Rio has had much more then its own fair share of issues that could persuade athletes to avoid the Olympic games, it seems that Juancho made the decision based off the Denver Nuggets alone.
Whether or not playing at Summer League is a sign that he might actually come stateside this season, this is exciting news nonetheless.
The Nuggets Summer League roster currently has been rumored to include Emmanuel Mudiay, Jamal Murray, Josh Scott (CU standout, worked out for the Nuggets), Axel Toupane and Jimmer Fredette, who has been working out around Denver and with some current Nuggets players.
Check out Juancho hitting a go-ahead step back three-pointer and then smother his opponent to win the Bronze Medal at the European U18 Championship.
