For the first time since 2020, Mario Hezonja is back in the NBA as the Cavs have officially announced the signing of Hezonja on Friday.
According to reports, it’s a one-year contract with Cleveland.
The 6-9 Hezonja has played professionally in Greece, Russia, and Spain over the last six years. He most recently played for Real Madrid during the 2025-26 season, appearing in 80 games (71 starts) across EuroLeague, Liga ACB, the Spanish Cup and ACB Supercup competition. He averaged 15.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 23.1 minutes while shooting .848 from the free throw line.
During his four seasons with Real Madrid (2022-26), Hezonja helped lead the club to the 2023 EuroLeague championship, earned All-EuroLeague Second Team honors in 2024 and was named the 2025-26 Liga ACB Most Valuable Player.
In five NBA seasons (2015-20), the 31-year-old appeared in 330 games (69 starts) with Orlando, New York and Portland, averaging 6.9 points and 3.1 rebounds in 18.5 minutes.
He also appeared in five postseason games with the Trail Blazers in 2020. A native of Croatia, Hezonja was selected fifth overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2015 NBA Draft and is one of the highest-drafted Croatian-born players in NBA history.
If things work out for Hezonja and the Cavs, he will bring shooting and versatility to the team.
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