Do you know who Bo Cruz is? How about Juancho Hernangomez? Are they even the same person? Well, let us find out!
In this article, we will explore everything there is to know about Bo Cruz — the real NBA player and the film story.
Back in 2022, the streaming platform giant Netflix introduced Bo Cruz to global viewers. He is a fictional character in the movie Hustle. In line with this, Cruz was played by a real player in the National Basketball Association named Juancho Hernangomez. Despite being a fictional story, Bo’s journey in the film captured the hearts of many fans. More importantly, it closely resembles the real-life experiences of many athletes in the league, including Juancho himself.
Bo Cruz: The Underdog Story in Hustle
The 2022 Netflix film revolves around the recruitment and development of the talented international basketball prospect Bo Cruz. It also starred Adam Sandler (Stanley Sugerman) as a scout for the Philadelphia 76ers. The story of the film begins in the streets of Spain, where Bo’s talent in basketball is covered by his troubled past. Along the way, the character of Sandler finds Cruz and helps him navigate a journey to getting drafted into the NBA. Sandler’s character also assisted Cruz in overcoming his fears, facing life’s challenges, and unleashing his full potential.
At the same time, the movie also made a brilliant take on the theme of mentorship. Stanley Sugerman eventually became the father figure that Bo had longed for. He provided the guidance and trust that Bo needed the most. The help from Adam’s character did not only nurture his basketball career but also his growth as a person.
Yes, the story of Hustle is not based nor patterned on a true story, but the film gives the audience a glimpse of what is fiction and what is real.
For several players aspiring to be in the NBA, the path to success is not a walk in the park. It would even seem like you have a mountain to climb. Among many others, personal setbacks, societal barriers, and family matters could hinder you and challenge you. However, many athletes have also found a way to rise in these circumstances, emphasizing that nothing is impossible when you put in the work and receive the right support.
More concretely, central to many NBA stories is the role of a mentor who helps players overcome obstacles in life. Similar to real-life situations, coaches and teammates frequently play a crucial part in an individual’s development.
Juancho Hernangomez: The Athlete in the NBA
The real-life of Juancho Hernangomez influenced his authentic touch to the character despite the story being fictional. In fact, his basketball career mirrors many similarities with the Hustle story.
Juancho Hernangomez was born in 1995 in Spain. He started his professional basketball career at the very young age of 17. Juancho participated in the country’s bronze medal-winning team and the silver medal-winning teams that competed internationally in 2013, 2014, and 2015. During the basketball season of 2016, he became the recipient of the ACB Best Young Player Award. For this reason, he was declared for the NBA Draft selection in the same year.
Accordingly, Juancho was selected by the Denver Nuggets as the first-round pick. For more than three seasons, he played as a pivotal role player for the team. Specifically, he started in 37 out of the 191 games he played in. After his stint in Denver, he eventually played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, and Utah Jazz.
After hopping from one team to another, Hernangomez came to the Toronto Raptors in the summer of 2022. Throughout 42 games with the team, he averaged 14.6 minutes, 2.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.1 blocks per game. Unfortunately, his stay in Toronto was cut short after only one season. Nevertheless, he is now playing for the Greek team Panathinaikos B.C. after joining in 2023.
Conclusion
The Hustle story of Bo Cruz reflects the importance of overcoming adversity and fighting for a chance at greatness. Similarly, the portrayal of Juancho Hernangomez reminds fans and aspiring athletes that the road to the NBA is and will never be easy. You need to have the perfect determination and carry the right support.
