Image Source: NBA
[Saba Sports News] Super Mario may still have an NBA future.
Veteran basketball writer Marc Stein reported on Saturday that former Orlando Magic lottery pick Mario Hezonja is emerging as a possible NBA comeback candidate. Stein notes that Hezonja is increasingly coming up as a free agent to watch this offseason.
Hezonja, 29, was the No. 5 overall pick by the Magic in 2015. Despite being drafted ahead of players like Devin Booker, Myles Turner, and Bobby Portis, Hezonja never found his footing in the NBA, averaging 6.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game for the Magic, New York Knicks, and Portland Trail Blazers over five seasons before leaving the league in 2020.
However, the Croatian native has had a resurgence playing overseas. He won a EuroLeague championship with Spain’s Real Madrid in 2023 and earned All-EuroLeague Second Team honors this season with 14.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, shooting 45.3 percent from three.
Known for his scoring ability and swagger, Hezonja may soon return to the NBA after honing his game overseas.