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Spanish League MVP Mario Hezonja Returns to NBA on 1-Year Contract with Cleveland Cavaliers
Mario Hezonja returns to the NBA after four seasons at Real Madrid, where he won Spanish League MVP honors and averaged 13.3 points.
On Friday, the Cleveland Cavaliers announced the signing of Forward Mario Hezonja to a one-year contract, marking his return to the NBA after six years away.
Cleveland sought frontcourt depth following the free agency departures of Dean Wade and Keon Ellis, building on last season's Eastern Conference finals appearance.
A 31-year-old from Croatia, Hezonja previously played 330 games with Orlando, the New York Knicks, and the Portland Trail Blazers before earning Liga ACB Most Valuable Player honors with Real Madrid.
Across 80 games in his latest campaign, Hezonja averaged 15.0 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting.848 from the free throw line and starting 71 contests.
Since leaving the NBA five years ago, Hezonja competed in Greece, Russia, and Spain, including leading Real Madrid to a 2023 EuroLeague championship.
Mario Hezonja is making his second NBA appearance. After four years with Real Madrid, the Croatian basketball star is now moving to Cleveland to join the Cavaliers.
Mario Hezonja officially became a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. The 31-year-old Croatian left Real Madrid and returned to the NBA after a six-year hiatus.