Juancho Hernangomez and the Spanish Basketball Federation are at odds with the Minnesota Timberwolves after the NBA team blocked Hernangomez from playing in the Tokyo Olympics.
Spanish officials are pointing the finger at Wolves President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas for what they called a last-minute decision after they believe medical personnel from Spain and Minnesota gave Hernangomez approval to play. The Timberwolves insist their doctors never cleared Hernangomez to resume playing after he suffered a dislocated shoulder earlier this month.
Wherever the truth lies, Hernangomez was left deeply disappointed and hurt by the Wolves’ decision, sources told The Athletic, which will leave some damage repair to be done before training camp opens in September.
“We’ve had countless medical meetings and we’ve never received a ‘no,’” Spanish Basketball Federation President Jorge Garbajosa said at a news conference in Tokyo after Hernangomez was taken off the Spanish roster. “We have a received a ‘yes.’ We don’t have a problem with the Minnesota Timberwolves or the NBA. It’s a problem of people — not medical personnel — who have personally decided that Juancho couldn’t play. I’m talking about their president of basketball operations.”
In a statement issued after Garbajosa’s comments, Rosas said Timberwolves medical staff did not give Hernangomez clearance to resume playing.
“We support our international players’ decisions to play with their national teams and appreciate the passion of Juancho and the Spanish Federation to represent their country.
