Spain's Juancho Hernangomez: ''I'm happy to play with that great group of players and live a sensational week with them''

MADRID (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers) - Juancho Hernangomez is thankful he got to play in the third window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers for undefeated Spain and is looking forward to the next time he'll put on the national shirt.

After a difficult second season in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets - one in which he saw less playing time than during his rookie campaign - suiting up for Sergio Scariolo's side in his country's wins over Slovenia and Belarus was exactly what he wanted and needed.

"I'LL TRY TO PLAY WITH SPAIN AS MUCH AS I CAN. I WILL ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE AND ALWAYS SAY YES, IF I'M CLEARED."- Hernangomez

"To be back has been a great feeling, to compete again to win," the 22-year-old said to Marca. "I'm happy to play with that great group of players and live a sensational week with them."

Hernangomez, a 2.05m (6ft 9in) forward, logged a lot of minutes in both wins. He had 10 points and 4 rebounds in 24 minutes in an 83-72 triumph at Slovenia in Ljubljana, a game that saw him also swat 3 shots.

In the 80-60 triumph over Belarus in Malaga, Hernangomez played 27 minutes, scoring 11 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. He was also tough on defense, blocking two shots and coming up with a steal.

Where he struggled was his shooting from deep as he shot just 1 of 5 from three-point range in each contest. Overall he believes he can play much better.

"I think that in these two games in the windows, I wasn't very good because I was very anxious, but because I had not played for three or four months," he said.

Scariolo will no doubt be pleased with the impact that Hernangomez made, judging from how much playing time he gave the 6ft 9in (2.06m) player who helped Spain finish third at last year's FIBA EuroBasket in Turkey.

Spain are as close as any side to clinching a spot in next year's 32-team FIBA Basketball World Cup. They will begin Second Round action in Group I at Ukraine on September 14 and follow that with a home game against Latvia on September 17.

"I'll try to play with Spain as much as I can," Hernangomez said. "I'll always be available and always say yes, if I'm cleared."

FIBA