NBA Draft: Who is Mario Hezonja

The Good

Hezonja undoubtedly has offensive talent. Really he seems like the complete package on that end of the floor.

He has great length for a player in his position, seemingly able to play both the shooting guard and small forward position. In the open floor he has great passing ability and seems comfortable in transition. Athletically, he is deceptively long and capable of finishing at the rim.

He matches all that with a great ability to shoot the ball. He made a high percentage of his 3-pointers at the international level and was used a lot to spread the floor.

That is something that cannot be taken away. And when Hezonja knows he is on, the scoring comes in avalanches.

As much as any other prospect at his position in this draft, Hezonja can create for himself and others. His height makes it easier for him to pass through a defense and his driving enables him to score.

So few players at his age are able to play with and without the ball. Hezonja is definitely one of those players.

Again, think about the ability to attack off the dribble but spread the floor with a 3-point shot when others drive and kick. That seems exactly what the Magic need.

Hezonja’s shot looks like a thing of beauty. He can get it off in little space too. That kind of quick release also proves pretty valuable.

Hezonja has the look, the skill and the shot to be a great prospect. If he had gone to an American college, we might be talking about him in the same breath as Karl-Anthony Towns and Jahlil Okafor. That is the unfortunate bias against European players.

Yet, there are reasons to be worried about Hezonja.

Next: The Bad