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2016 NBA Rookie Rankings: Where did Mario Hezonja Finish?

By Brett David Roberts

Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots around New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots around New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mario Hezonja, Orlando Magic
Apr 11, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Mario Hezonja (23) shoots on a break away during the first quarter of a basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Mario Hezonja

Previous Rank: 9

Mario Hezonja came on late in the year for the Orlando Magic. He proved himself to be a reliable offensive creator, and, when the Magic faced late shot-clock sequences, it was often Hezonja who bailed them out.

He is capable of shooting with minimal space, which makes it easy for him to get good looks. He also varies his attack enough that defenders never settle into any one mode defensively. His court vision has proven to be one of his greatest assets, and Hezonja did play some point guard when the Magic’s rotation wore thin during Elfrid Payton’s absence.

Hezonja averaged 10.8 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists in Orlando’s last five games, and he played 24 minutes per game over that span. In the last 30 games of the year, he played 22 minutes per game and averaged 7.2 points per game. That is about the level of production we anticipated he would average prior to this season. In time Hezonja became the strong rotation player that we suspected he would be.

How good Hezonja can be remains in question. At times he is superb, but he made his fair share of rookie mistakes and at times it seemed to rattle his usually high confidence.

Hezonja knows he belongs though. He talked trash to Marcus Smart, and he seems to have a little more “dog” in him than most thought.

Hezonja still has a lot of room to grow, but his natural gifts were evident this season once he became a fixture in Orlando’s rotation. One may also assume his talent was apparent enough to further ease the trading of Tobias Harris. It cleared the way for both Hezonja and Aaron Gordon, which proved to be a good thing for the Magic.

Next: Rookie discord in La-La Land