Mario Hezonja says he has grown from a 190-pound rookie into a 260-pound forward, giving the Cavaliers more versatility in his NBA return.
The Orlando Magic drafted Mario Hezonja fifth overall in 2015, when he was 20. Over 330 games with Orlando, New York, and Portland, he averaged 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 18.5 minutes.
He is back with the Cleveland Cavaliers as a much bigger player. Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said Friday that Hezonja weighs 255 pounds, has changed his body, and can punish switches.
Atkinson said he had heard how Hezonja played over the last five years, and Cavaliers president of basketball operations Koby Altman also pointed to his size, according to Sports Illustrated's Cavaliers site.
Hezonja Says He Is Now 6-Foot-9, 260 Pounds
Hezonja put the number at 260 at Monday's media day at Rocket Arena. The size, he said, gives Atkinson and his new teammates more ways to use him.
"And then the second thing is, I was drafted, man, at 6-6, 190. I remember looking like a child even in summer league, although I was super talented, but I get my ways and all that, but I wasn't really like physique in NBA," Hezonja said. "And now I'm coming back at 6-9, 260, so that definitely adds to the versatility the team can use, the Kenny can use, obviously my teammates."
"I mean, spoke about Don, spoke with James, and it's very useful that they have these type of players that can help them on the court with multiple things, screen for them, get open for them and all that stuff," Hezonja continued. "So that's definitely that versatility that I think not only NBA but the entire basketball world is about, those players."
Atkinson also said Friday that he thinks Hezonja is "going to surprise some people" and that a team always wants "an outside spark from somewhere." The coach has spoken with excitement about Hezonja since the signing.
Hezonja Credits 'Crazy Hard Work' for Added Size
Hezonja said he has asked himself the same question about the height. The weight he could explain.
"For the weight, I can tell you from a lot of crazy hard work. Never quitting, always doing extra, always doing more, always knowing it's never enough, having that fire in me, having that hunger with me my entire career," Hezonja explained. "I guess this is what gets you to this level, because I cannot tell you anything right now smart. It's just like crazy, crazy hard work and stupid almost dedication to it."
The Cavaliers list him at No. 33. Jarrett Allen said at his own session Monday that he thinks Hezonja weighs more than he does. Evan Mobley said the additions of Hezonja and Peyton Watson will make Cleveland more athletic.
Hezonja Returns After Productive Run With Real Madrid
Hezonja put up 17.5 points per game in 44 Liga ACB games last season, with 4.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists. Across 80 games in all competitions, including the EuroLeague and two domestic cups, he averaged 15.0 points in 23.1 minutes and shot 84.8% from the free-throw line, according to Yahoo Sports.
His final two games for Madrid were in Athens in May. He scored 25 points in the Final Four semifinal against Valencia and 19 in the championship game, a 92-85 loss to Olympiacos. Olympiacos' Evan Fournier was the Final Four MVP.
Three years earlier, Hezonja had 14 points and 9 rebounds in the 2023 semifinal against Barcelona, then 12 points and 3 rebounds as Real Madrid beat Olympiacos in the final in Kaunas, Lithuania.
Hezonja Describes Himself as 'Super Versatile'
His own description of the player Cleveland signed was short.
"Very hard-working player, player that plays 200% and there is no off games, super versatile, can do all on a court, with confidence, grit, and a lot of hunger," Hezonja said.
Hezonja has also played for Croatia at the 2014 World Cup, the 2016 Olympics, and the 2015 and 2022 European championships, according to EuroLeague.
His one-year deal with Cleveland does not become fully guaranteed until Nov. 15, according to Sports Illustrated's Cavaliers site.
Boston comes to Cleveland for the first preseason game on Oct. 8.
