If you happened to see Adam Sandler’s new movie “Hustle” on Netflix over the weekend — as many have, based on the fact that it was shot instantly at #1 on the streaming device — you might have been intrigued by the actor who stars opposite the comedy legend. . Sandler plays a Philadelphia 76ers scout named Stanley Sugarman who thinks he’s found the next NBA star in Bo Cruz, a temperamental Spanish player who’s more than rough around the edges. For the role of Cruz, director Jeremiah Zagar needed to find a great actor who could also play basketball. As it turns out, he found NBA player Juancho Hernángómez for the Utah Jazz, who, in his acting debut, turned out to be a huge presence on screen.
The 26-year-old Hernangómez is in great shape – the film features several performances and performances from other players including Anthony Edwards, Dirk Nowitzki and Boben Marjanovic, and LeBron James is a producer. But the newcomer holds more of himself against the excellent Sandler, portraying his character’s struggles and secrets with depth and charisma.
Hernangomes was born into the world of basketball: his parents were players, his brother Willie plays for the New Orleans Pelicans and his sister plays for her Estudiantes Youth team in Spain. And while basketball will always be his first love, Hernangómez also enjoys rave comments on his side as an actor.
You’ve never acted before – is that something you thought about? How did this part come to you?
this is funy. I never wanted to act, and that wasn’t my dream. This is still not my dream. My agent called me before COVID trying to get me to audition for the movie but I was focused on basketball at the time. I told him no for five months. But then covid hits, basketball stops and I have nothing else to do. I was quarantined at my brother’s house and bored. It was my sister who pushed me to take the test.
So somehow we have COVID to thank for your acting career?
Think. That’s the only good thing COVID has brought.
Did you consider yourself a fan of Adam Sandler before that?
You definitely watched all his movies and thought it was funny. But then again, I didn’t think much about the actors and the movies, it was always about basketball for me.
How was the testing process like?
I think there were two or three test calls over Zoom. Adam was there from the start, he was watching all the calls and the last one was with him. Then they told me I should come to Philly in the summer and they hooked me up with my acting coach. Her name is Noëlle Gentile and once I met her, she was one of the best people I have ever met. She’s worked with me so much, all summer we’ve been doing three or four zoom calls a week. Everything I did right was because of her. She gave me homework, we played games, and she had letters written to my father and daughter in character.
You have helped me not only through acting, but through life. She taught me to love and do my best for those around me. She was always so positive and she kept me going. She really made me open my heart and I love and trust her. She is one person who will be in my life forever. Whatever you need, I’ll be there.
Once the part was booked, did they ever change the script to reflect your story?
No, the text is already there. But we are very much alike. I’ve been through a lot, and I know how hard it is to move from Europe to the United States to fight for your dream. I know how hard it can be when they tell you no and you feel like you’ve failed in life.
What are the most difficult scenes for you to shoot?
Indeed, basketball scenes! I mean, I’m used to playing basketball but it was hard to do it over and over and then wait 30 minutes to change cameras. I was sitting down and had to warm up again. The stop and start was weird.
So the emotional scenes or the one where you fight with Adam just got easier for you?
Yes, I loved those! The match we were fighting in and I picked up his shirt was fun. It’s really easy when you know someone as well as we know each other and have confidence, you can do whatever you want. When they said no, we just laugh and hug and know how much we love each other.
I know Adam loves to improvise – are you an improv in the movie?
I love to improvise! Jeremiah has given us so much freedom to do whatever we want, whatever we feel like it. I think that’s one of the keys to the movie, that freedom.
Which is more difficult: playing professional basketball or acting?
I think the big difference is that acting is something new every day. So one day, you have to cry. Another day, you have to try to kill Adam. In basketball, it’s all about routine.
I know basketball is your first love, but are you open to doing more acting?
I don’t know. Right now I’m focused on basketball, but you never know. I would never say I would do nothing. I never expected two years ago to talk about being in a movie. If Adam and Jeremiah call me, I will certainly do so.
What do you like about basketball?
It’s only in my blood. She gave me so much and I owe her so much. I feel like basketball brings people together. I can go to any country – Africa, Spain, the United States – and you will find people playing the same sport. And they became friends. I love the game.
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