National Basketball Association

Knicks Video: Willy Hernangomez Channels Inner Kristaps Porzingis

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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New York Knicks rookie Willy Hernangomez looked like close friend and fellow Liga ACB alum Kristaps Porzingis during a recent scrimmage.

Willy Hernangomez and Kristaps Porzingis are close friends and New York Knicks teammates. They both made their name in Liga ACB, both play interior positions, and both were acquired by the Knicks at the 2015 NBA Draft.

As of Friday, October 7, they’ve also both added putback dunks to their career highlight reel.

Hernangomez is a 6’11” and 255-pound beast of a center with a 7’1.5″ wingspan and extensive professional experience. The key to Hernangomez’s success in Spain has been his energy and tenacity on both ends of the floor.

Per Ian Begley of ESPN New York, Hernangomez channeled his inner Porzingis during a recent Knicks practice.

Video of Knicks rookie Willy Hernangomez's put-back dunk in Friday's scrimmage: pic.twitter.com/dphXmnq79K

— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) October 7, 2016

Knicks big men have a knack for impressive putback slams.

Early in the 2015-16 season, Porzingis turned critics and skeptics to fans with his putback dunks. There were other factors, of course, but Porzingis’ ability to rise above the rim and throw down powerful putback dunks earned him a number of new supporters.

It may have been during a scrimmage, but Hernangomez showed a similar ability to do so on Friday, October 7.

Hernangomez has played professionally since 2011—a shocking truth considering he’s only 22 years of age. He received significant playing time with Baloncesto Sevilla between 2013 and 2015, and played for Real Madrid in 2015-16.

Hernangomez was named to the Liga ACB All-Young Players Team in both 2015 and 2016.

Hernangomez finished the 2014-15 Liga ACB season with averages of 10.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.4 offensive boards, and 0.9 steals in 21.1 minutes per game. That translates to per 36 averages of 18.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, 4.1 offensive boards, and 1.6 steals.

Hernangomez tallied per 36 averages of 18.8 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.2 offensive boards, 1.2 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.3 steals in 2015-16.

On the international scene, Hernangomez helped Spain win an Olympic bronze medal in 2016 and the EuroBasket title in 2015. He gained invaluable experience playing and practicing alongside future Hall of Famer Pau Gasol.

Hernangomez will now play for an organization that’s run by the same man who helped Gasol win two championships: Phil Jackson.

If Hernangomez lives up to his potential, the Knicks could have its starting interior duo of the future with he and Porzingis.