Who Is Mario Hezonja?

Mario Hezonja was born on February 25, 1995, in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Standing approximately 6-foot-8 (2.03m), he plays primarily as a small forward while also spending time at power forward.

Before entering the NBA, Hezonja developed through the youth system at FC Barcelona, where his athleticism, shooting, and scoring ability made him one of Europe’s top prospects.

Mario Hezonja Stats

NBA Career Stats

Across five NBA seasons, Hezonja recorded:

• Games Played: 330
• Points Per Game: 6.9
• Rebounds Per Game: 3.1
• Assists Per Game: 1.3
• Field Goal Percentage: 41.7%
• Three-Point Percentage: 31.9%

His best NBA season came during 2017-18 with the Orlando Magic, averaging 9.6 points and 3.7 rebounds.

EuroLeague Stats

After returning to Europe, Hezonja became a much more complete player.

Recent Real Madrid numbers include:

• Around 15-17.5 points per game
• Nearly 5 rebounds per game
• Strong three-point shooting
• High efficiency ratings

He established himself as one of the EuroLeague’s premier forwards and earned domestic MVP honors in Spain.

Mario Hezonja’s EuroLeague Career

Leaving the NBA proved to be the turning point in Hezonja’s career.

He first joined Panathinaikos before moving to UNICS Kazan and eventually signing with Real Madrid in 2022.

His EuroLeague career has featured:

• Elite scoring
• Improved defense
• Better shot selection
• Leadership experience
• Multiple championship runs

The move allowed him to play a larger offensive role than he ever received in the NBA.

Mario Hezonja and Real Madrid

At Real Madrid, Hezonja became one of the club’s most valuable players.

His accomplishments include:

• EuroLeague champion
• Multiple Liga Endesa championships
• Copa del Rey title
• Spanish Super Cup victories
• Liga Endesa MVP recognition

The club relied heavily on his scoring, rebounding, and versatility on both ends of the floor.

Mario Hezonja’s NBA Career

The Orlando Magic selected Hezonja with the 5th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.

He later played for:

• Orlando Magic
• New York Knicks
• Portland Trail Blazers

Although flashes of brilliance appeared throughout his NBA career, consistency proved difficult to maintain.

Following the 2019-20 season, he chose to continue his career in Europe, where he quickly became a star.

Mario Hezonja and LeBron James

One of Hezonja’s most memorable NBA highlights came in March 2019.

Playing for the New York Knicks, Hezonja blocked a game-winning layup attempt by LeBron James and then dramatically stepped over the Lakers superstar after securing the loose ball.

The sequence immediately went viral and remains one of the most memorable moments of Hezonja’s NBA career.

Although his overall NBA production was modest, that defensive play is still frequently shown in basketball highlight reels.

Mario Hezonja Draft History

The 2015 NBA Draft featured several future stars, and Orlando selected Mario Hezonja fifth overall.

Top selections included:

1. Karl-Anthony Towns
2. D’Angelo Russell
3. Jahlil Okafor
4. Kristaps Porziņģis
5. Mario Hezonja

At the time, scouts praised his:

• Elite athleticism
• Explosiveness
• Outside shooting
• Transition offense
• High upside

While his NBA career never fully matched expectations, his European success has validated much of his talent.

Return to the NBA

After becoming one of Europe’s best forwards, Hezonja has reportedly earned another NBA opportunity.

Recent reports say he has agreed to return to the league with the Cleveland Cavaliers after six successful seasons overseas. The move comes following an outstanding campaign with Real Madrid that included Liga Endesa MVP honors.

Strengths

• Excellent size for a wing
• Athletic finisher
• Reliable outside shooter
• Strong transition scorer
• Improved rebounding
• Positional versatility

Career Achievements

• 2015 NBA Draft First-Round Pick
• Former Orlando Magic lottery selection
• EuroLeague champion
• Liga Endesa MVP
• Multiple Spanish league titles
• Croatian national team player

Frequently Asked Questions

Who drafted Mario Hezonja?

The Orlando Magic selected Mario Hezonja with the fifth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.

Which NBA teams has Mario Hezonja played for?

He has played for the Orlando Magic, New York Knicks, and Portland Trail Blazers, and recent reports indicate a return with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Which EuroLeague team does Mario Hezonja play for?

He has starred for Real Madrid in the EuroLeague, helping the club win major domestic and European titles.

Why is Mario Hezonja famous among NBA fans?

Besides being a former top-five draft pick, he is widely remembered for blocking LeBron James and stepping over him during a Knicks-Lakers game.

Conclusion

Mario Hezonja’s basketball journey has come full circle. After entering the NBA as one of Europe’s biggest prospects, he reinvented himself in the EuroLeague with Real Madrid, winning championships and individual awards. His successful European resurgence has now opened the door for another NBA opportunity, making his career one of the sport’s most compelling comeback stories.