After a European tour, Mario Hezonja is making an NBA comeback.
The Cavaliers signed Hezonja, 31, to a one-year contract, marking his return to the NBA for the first time since the 2019-20 season. Hezonja played pro ball in Greece, Russia, and Spain over the last six years.
Hezonja played for Real Madrid this past season, where he won the Liga ACB Most Valuable Player award after averaging 15 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. Hezonja spent four years with Real Madrid and won a EuroLeague championship with the team in 2023, along with consecutive Liga ACB titles in 2024 and 2025.
Real Madrid’s Mario Hezonja drives to the basket past Kostas Papanikolaou, left, and Nikola Milutinov, right, during the EuroLeague final basketball match between Olympiacos and Real Madrid in Athens, Greece, May 24, 2026. AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis
Hezonja was selected fifth overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2015 NBA Draft and played 330 games for the Magic, Knicks, and Trail Blazers in his first NBA stint. Hezonja, who was born in Dubrovnik, is one of the highest-drafted Croatian-born players in league history.
On Friday, Hezonja spoke out about his new organization.
“Never liked how I left the NBA but these past 5 years have been exactly what I wanted and much needed!” Hezonja posted to X while tagging the Cavaliers. “I am super happy that my new chapter is with a team and organization that I have always admired and respected!”
Hezonja had a couple of memorable moments as a Knick — who he spent the 2018-19 season with — including a game-winning block against LeBron James and the Lakers in March 2019 and recording his first career triple-double the following month.
Mario Hezonja reacts after hitting a shot with the New York Knicks during the 2018-19 season. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
Hezonja then signed with Portland before being traded to Memphis in 2020.
The Grizzlies waived him less than a month later, and then Hezonja began his overseas career for Greek club Panathinaikos.
From there, Hezonja signed with Russian team UNICS Kazan and then headed to Real Madrid for four seasons, where he became one of the most accomplished players in Europe during his tenure.
The Cavs signed Hezonja after missing out on a James return when he signed with the Sixers earlier this month.
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