Mario Hezonja is working this summer in the United States to regain his health and his spot in the rotation. An injury last year slowed him down, he said.
The Orlando Magic had high hopes for Mario Hezonja during the 2017 season. Who would not expect a big leap from a player the team drafted fifth just a year ago. And even Hezonja’s play during the Olympics was encouraging. He hit most of his 3-pointers and seemed ready to contribute at the NBA level with how he contributed there.
Things quickly went south for Hezonja last season. He struggled to start the season and lost his spot in the rotation.
Hezonja spent the majority of his sophomore season in and out of the rotation, appearing in only 65 games and playing only 14.8 minutes per game.
Hezonja did not look anywhere near the player they drafted fifth overall the year before. He averaged just 4.9 points per game and hit on just 29.9 percent from beyond the arc. He did not seem to make many improvements on the defensive end and it was tough to justify playing him, at least while the team was still competing or trying to salvage their season.
Hezonja showed some improvement toward the end of the season as he got more playing time. But it seemed cosmetic.
There may be at least a partial explanation for Hezonja’s struggles.
In an interview with a newspaper in his hometown of Dubrovnik, Croatia (h/t to the Croatian news site Sportske Novosti), Hezonja said a lingering tendon injury slowed him throughout the season and ultimately prevented him from playing in Eurobasket for Croatia this summer.
"“I’m not able to answer [the invitation to play in Eurobasket for Croatia],” Hezonja said (translation by Google Translate). “And I’m not because for a long time I have a problem with the tendon. During the season it was already a problem. I thought it would pass, but it would not. That is why today [I am] in Los Angeles, where I can devote myself to preparations alone. I can not do everything I want.”"
Apologies if the translation is rough (if you speak Croatian and can get a cleaner translation, please contact the us!).
But it appears Hezonja said he had a lingering tendon issue throughout the season that never properly healed. He did not get much time to rest as the season went on, even though he was not playing. And it is concerning it has not healed properly yet.
Hezonja is in Los Angeles working out and trying to get healthy and prepared for this upcoming season. He posted video of some of his workouts in Los Angeles a few weeks ago:
It is good to see him out on the court and working on his skills. But it may also be concerning that he did not feel comfortable or healthy enough to suit up for Croatia.
Hezonja was left off the Croatian National Team roster for Eurobasket this summer. It was widely assumed (perhaps unfairly as Hezonja notes) he was doing so to focus on his skills to improve his individual play and status for his club team and the Magic. He has not had an offseason without international responsibilities.
Orlando Magic
Hezonja put that to rest. He told the newspaper his decision not to play with Croatia this summer was about his health. He said he resented the sentiment he decided to skip Eurobasket to focus on himself. Hezonja wanted to play for Croatia.
But he simply could not play those high-level games with his recovery at the moment. He said he is in a “special program” to recover from the tendon issues that hampered him last year.
Regardless of Hezonja’s health, he will have his work cut out for him this season with the Magic.
Hezonja will return to an Orlando Magic roster that is loaded on the wings with Evan Fournier, Terrence Ross, Jonathon Simmons and Arron Afflalo all vying for minutes at the 2 and the 3. If Hezonja is meant to be a stretch-4, he has to play behind Aaron Gordon and Jonathan Isaac.
There are not a lot of minutes for Hezonja. The only conclusion after a difficult season last year is that Hezonja will have to force his way into the rotation in some way. And with new management, another disappointing season could see him hitting free agency early.
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The good news is Hezonja is putting in the work and trying to get himself ready for the season. If the injury last year really did slow him down and he has recovered fully, perhaps he can recover and grow from what was a solid rookie season two years ago.