Hernangómez didn't want to know more about basketball.

Former NBA player Willy Hernangómez admitted that last season he lost his "love and passion" for basketball, which forced him to seek out a mental health professional to "work on his emotions."

The 31-year-old Spanish international, former player for the New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets, and New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA, and current center for Barça, reviewed some episodes of his career in the podcast "La Bombilla," published a few days before the start of Eurobasket 2025, and delved into his second season with the Spanish club.

"I've been through a difficult time, losing my love and passion for basketball this past season, not feeling happy or comfortable with what I was doing. I went to train, trying to find ways... and there came a time when you just couldn't do it alone; you didn't have the tools," he explained.

So, after consulting with his family, he decided to seek professional help to try to improve his situation. "For me, it's been about reconnecting my mind, knowing what I want and what I don't want," he added.

Meanwhile, Italian Marco Belinelli announced yesterday in a video posted on social media that he was retiring from professional basketball at the age of 39, after playing last season with Virtus Bologna, the club where he debuted.

Champion with the Spurs

Belinelli retires as the only Italian in history to win an NBA ring, in 2014 with the San Antonio Spurs, after a career spanning more than two decades.