Former NBA bust Mario Hezonja gets another shot after six years playing hoops overseas
Former NBA lottery picks rarely return after six years abroad. Mario Hezonja just did it.
The Cleveland Cavaliers signed the 31-year-old Croatian to a one-year, $2.8 million veteran contract, bringing him back to the NBA for the first time since 2020.
Boston Celtics’ Jonas Jerebko defends a second-quarter shot by Orlando Magic’s Mario Hezonja at TD Garden on January 29, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Getty Images)
Super Mario was selected fifth overall by the Orlando Magic in 2015. He entered the league with very high expectations but the production never followed.
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In five NBA seasons with Orlando, New York and Portland, Hezonja averaged 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists (330 games) before the league moved on.
Instead of going through another draft debacle, Hezonja headed to Europe and rebuilt his career.
General Manager Rob Hennigan introduces Orlando Magic draft picks Mario Hezonja and Tyler Harvey during a press conference at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, on July 2, 2015. (NBAE via Getty Images)
Orlando Magic player Mario Hezonja #8 clears the ball during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Amway Center on February 6, 2018 in Orlando, Fla. Magic defeated Cavaliers 116-98. (Getty Images)
He became one of the best wings in Europe with Real Madrid. He won the EuroLeague championship, won the Liga Endesa MVP award last season and entered Europe’s elite.
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Now he takes another shot.
For the Cavaliers, this is a low-risk move with interesting upsides.
Real Madrid’s number 11 player Mario Hezonja plays against Surne Bilbao Basket in the Liga Endesa regular season Round 7 match at Movistar Arena on November 16, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Getty Images)
Cleveland, who spent the last six years competing at the highest level outside the NBA, acquired a 1.80-meter wing. If he struggles to adapt, the Cavs could move on at little cost. But if this version of Hezonja translates, they may have found one of the biggest opportunities of the offseason.
Cavaliers missed out on LeBron. They may have stumbled upon something else.
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