Bo Cruz may not exist in the NBA, but the man who played him, Juancho Hernangomez, has had a solid career both in the NBA and now with Panathinaikos in Europe. His story is a real-world parallel to the character he portrayed.
In Netflix's 2022 hit movie Hustle, audiences around the world were introduced to Bo Cruz, a gifted but undiscovered basketball player from Spain whose life changes when he's scouted by an NBA talent scout played by Adam Sandler.
His underdog journey, raw talent, and emotional backstory made Bo Cruz an instant fan favorite.
But once the film ended, the questions arose: Is Bo Cruz actually a basketball player? If so, does he play in the NBA? Let's break it down.
Who plays Bo Cruz in Hustle?
Bo Cruz is played by Spanish professional basketball player Juancho Hernangomez, who brought an authentic, grounded presence to the role.
At the time Hustle was filmed, Hernangomez was already a seasoned NBA player.
His impressive acting debut surprised many, especially since he had never appeared in a movie before.
Juancho Hernangomez with his brother Willy in the NBA
Juancho Hernangomez with his brother Willy in the NBA
Credit AFP-Scanpix
Juancho began his professional career in Spain before being drafted 15th overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 2016 NBA Draft.
He went on to play for several NBA teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, and Toronto Raptors.
His portrayal of Bo Cruz was praised for its vulnerability and realism, making many viewers wonder if Bo Cruz was a real NBA player—a testament to Hernangomez's performance.
Is Bo Cruz in the NBA?
Here's the twist: Bo Cruz isn't a real NBA player, but Juancho Hernangomez—the actor who plays him—certainly was.
The character is fictional, created for Hustle, but his story echoes that of many international prospects who rise to NBA stardom through grit, talent, and relentless effort.
After Hustle premiered, Juancho briefly joined the Toronto Raptors in the 2022–23 NBA season, but his time in the league appeared to stall afterward.
Juancho Hernangomez with the Raptors
Juancho Hernangomez with the Raptors
Credit AP-Scanpix
Hernangomez doesn't play in the NBA anymore, but continues to shine on the professional stage.
In 2023, Juancho signed with Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, one of Europe's top basketball clubs, based in Greece, and won the EuroLeague in his first year with the team.
The EuroLeague is widely regarded as the second-best basketball competition in the world after the NBA.
Hernangomez has also remained an important figure for the Spanish national basketball team, helping lead them to gold at the FIBA EuroBasket 2022—an achievement that capped off an extraordinary year both on screen and on court.
Bo Cruz's legacy: Fiction meets reality
At first, Juancho Hernangomez didn't like being called Bo Cruz, but he eventually accepted the identity.
"In the beginning, I got mad for being called Bo Cruz, but after a time, I understand that Bo Cruz is part of Juancho Hernangomez's life."
"If people recognize me just for the movie, I am going to say hi to them, [ask them] did they enjoy the movie, because I worked really hard on the movie too."
"If they recognize me because of a basketball game, I am going to say hi to them, too," Juancho concluded on a positive note.
While Hernangomez may no longer be an NBA player, the Bo Cruz legacy lives on through him, whose real-life career continues to inspire.
Juancho Hernangomez with the Panathinaikos
Juancho Hernangomez with the Panathinaikos
Credit Vangelis Stolis
Thank you for reading us! We have even more content for you.