Mario Hezonja eager to give Cavs 'whatever they need' as he readjusts to NBA

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Mario Hezonja eager to give Cavs 'whatever they need' as he readjusts to NBA

Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Mon, Oct 12, 2026 ·

5 min read

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CLEVELAND — Mario Hezonja has a custom handshake with Jaylon Tyson , a mentor in James Harden and an understanding with coach Kenny Atkinson.

Welcome back to the NBA. Welcome to the Cavaliers .

In Cleveland's second preseason game, a 119-105 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday, Oct. 11, at Rocket Arena, Hezonja scored 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field (2 of 4 on 3-pointers). He also tallied five rebounds (two offensive), two assists, two steals and two blocked shots in 17 minutes off the bench, finishing with a game-high plus-minus rating of plus-15. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in what will be Cleveland's preseason finale at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Orlando.

"He's stronger than I thought, bigger than I thought and he's got all-around game," Tyson, a third-year Cavs wing, said of Hezonja. "He's got dribble, pass, shoot, rebound, and he's got defense, too. So, he's got a little bit of everything. I think he's going to help our team a lot."

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Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Meleek Thomas (15) drives on Boston Celtics forward Gabe McGlothan (41) during the second half of a preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) stands near the bench during the second half of a preseason game against the Boston Celtics at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Boston Celtics forward Tucker DeVries (26) spins away from Cleveland Cavaliers forward Riley Minix (12) during there second half of a preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tristan Enaruna (21) shoots a three point shot during the second half of a preseason game against the Boston Celtics at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Tyrese Proctor (24) goes to the basket during the second half of a preseason game against the Boston Celtics at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Tyrese Proctor (24) goes to the basket between Boston Celtics forward Dillon Mitchell (20) and forward Gabe McGlothan (41) during the second half of a preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Boston Celtics guard Devin Carter (99) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Tyrese Proctor (24) reach for a loose ball during the second half of a preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Tyrese Proctor (24) goes to the basket between Boston Celtics guard Hayden Gray (44) and guard Devin Carter (99) during the second half pop a preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Meleek Thomas (15) drives on Boston Celtics guard Hayden Gray (44) during the second half of a preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Rashaun Agee (19) reacts after a three point basket during the second half of a preseason game against the Boston Celtics at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Riley Minix (12) drives on Boston Celtics forward Dillon Mitchell (20) during the second half of a preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Riley Minix (12) dunks during the second half of a preseason game against the Boston Celtics at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Neemias Queta (88) goes to the basket against Boston Celtics forward Chris Cenac Jr. (12) during the second half of a preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Meleek Thomas (15) protects the ball from Boston Celtics guard Devin Carter (99) during the second half of a preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Meleek Thomas (15) loses control of the ball while being pressured by Boston Celtics guard Devin Carter (99) during the second half of a preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Boston Celtics guard Hugo Gonzalez (28) grabs a rebound during the second half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Mario Hezonja (33) drives on Boston Celtics forward Dillon Mitchell (20) during a preseason game Oct. 8, 2026, in Cleveland.
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Mario Hezonja (33) drives to the basket during the second half of a preseason game against the Boston Celtics at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Tyrese Proctor (24) dribbles up court during the second half of a preseason game against the Boston Celtics at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Thomas Bryant (3) reacts after making a three point basket during the second half of a preseason game against the Boston Celtics at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Meleek Thomas (15) and Boston Celtics guard Hugo Gonzalez (28) wrestle for the ball during the second half of a preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Craig Porter Jr. (9) pressures Boston Celtics guard Hugo Gonzalez (28) during the second half of a preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson stands on the sideline during the first half of a preseason game against the Boston Celtics at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Boston Celtics guard Devin Carter (99) shoots a three point shot over Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) during the first half of preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jordan Walsh (27) goes to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) during the first half of a preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Boston Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman (55) wrestles for the ball with Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the first half of a preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Boston Celtics forward Chris Cenac Jr. (12) celebrates after a dunk during the first half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Boston Celtics forward Chris Cenac Jr. (12) dunks during there first half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Boston Celtics forward Chris Cenac Jr. (12) looks to drive on Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) during the first half of a preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoes during the first half of a preseason game against the Boston Celtics at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) rebounds against Boston Celtics forward Chris Cenac Jr. (12) during the first half of a preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Boston Celtics guard Devin Carter (99) backpedals after a three point basket during the first half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Boston Celtics guard Devin Carter (99) dunks against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Peyton Watson (8) during the first half of a preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; \Boston Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman (55) looks to pass during the first half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Boston Celtics center Luka Garza (52) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) during the first half of a preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla talks with guard Hugo Gonzalez (28) during the first half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) goes to the basket against Boston Celtics center Luka Garza (52) during the first half of a preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Boston Celtics guard Hugo Gonzalez (28) shoots a three point shot during the first half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jordan Walsh (27) passes against Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) during the first half of a preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Peyton Watson (8) defends as Boston Celtics guard Jordan Walsh (27) goes to the basket during a preseason game Oct 8, 2026, in Cleveland.
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) cheers from the bench during the first half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Boston Celtics center Luka Garza (52) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (20) during the first half of a preseason game at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A cheerleader performs before a preseason game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images
(David Dermer, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Hezonja spent the past six seasons playing in Europe after his NBA career fizzled with the Magic, New York Knicks and the Portland Trail Blazers.

"He vanished off the face of the earth for six years," Cavs center Jarrett Allen quipped.

A native of Croatia, Hezonja described himself as "looking like a child" when he entered the NBA as the fifth overall draft pick of the Magic in 2015. He pointed out he is 6 feet, 9 inches and 260 pounds now compared with 6 feet, 6 inches and 190 pounds then.

"He's like a diesel train getting downhill," Atkinson said.

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Cleveland Cavaliers forward Mario Hezonja (33) drives to the basket against Orlando Magic guard JD Davison (20) during a preseason game Oct. 11, 2026, in Cleveland.

The 31-year-old Hezonja played in Greece, Russia and Spain the past six years, most recently with Real Madrid during the 2025-26 season. He ascended to stardom and helped Real Madrid capture back-to-back Liga ACB championships in 2024 and 2025. He was named the 2025-26 Liga ACB Most Valuable Player.

With the Cavs, though, Hezonja's role is nebulous.

Atkinson said he and Hezonja are working toward "defining here's how you're going to fit with this team." Although Hezonja is a wing, he may skew power forward. He also might moonlight at point guard, a job Atkinson saw him handle for brief stretches overseas. Atkinson said he has a desire to use Hezonja's post-up game and get him in the habit of increasing his offensive rebounds, too.

"Whatever they need, literally," Hezonja said. "I am way too experienced and skilled and versatile that I don't need direct directions. I can really pick up what is necessary. Kenny's a very intelligent coach as well. He was all over the world. He was playing and coaching in Europe, so he understands what he has, what he sees and what he wants.

"I pick up off of that. He doesn't even need to sometimes tell me. Literally, I think we never even spoke about this, honestly. I'm picking [up] on his energy and what he says to other guys. I try to do the same."

Although Hezonja produced a game-clinching blocked shot against LeBron James in 2019, his list of NBA highlights is not extensive. He averaged 6.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 18.5 minutes through his first five seasons in the league. This preseason, he is receiving his first taste of the NBA since 2020.

Yet, the Cavs are optimistic this version of Hezonja can become a notable contributor off their bench. They signed him to a one-year, $2.8 million contract in late July, and his teammates have been impressed thus far.

With 3:24 left in the first quarter against the Magic, Hezonja hammered a fast-break dunk on a nifty bounce-pass assist from Cavs All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell. A few seconds earlier, Hezonja had blocked a shot near the rim by Magic forward Jamal Cain.

"I think he weighs more than me," Allen said of Hezonja. "It's incredible how strong he is, how much he can push around other people on the court, how much he can pass the ball and do all that. But especially on defense, him and [new Cavs wing] Peyton [Watson] are going to be crucial."

An 11-time All-Star guard, Harden said he thinks Hezonja is more confident now than he was as a young player getting his feet wet in the NBA. Hezonja mentioned he is leaning on Harden for assistance while he becomes acclimated to the Cavs.

"He had to come overseas and find himself, and I think who he is now as a player fits what the NBA is now," Harden said. "[He's] a big, strong guard who can get downhill, who can shoot it, who can pass it, who's very versatile."

Still, Hezonja is transparent about the challenge he faces while transitioning from Europe to the Cavs. He has had several conversations about his journey with Tyson. They are neighbors in Cleveland's locker room, and Tyson said Hezonja's personality has meshed well with the Cavs.

As for how Hezonja has been doing on the court, he explained he's readjusting to the length and size of the opponents he is encountering in the NBA. Atkinson said the speed of the game and tactics are different, too.

Despite the hurdles awaiting Hezonja, he is hungry to provide the Cavs with what they seek.

"I don't need to prove anything," he said. "I just need to give. This is my mentality. I think everybody knows what it is. I'm not even coming here with my mentality of who I am back in Europe and what I mean to that continent.

"The mentality is giving, giving to this team, giving to this coach, giving to my teammates, just giving back what they invested in me."

Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com . On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Mario Hezonja eager to give Cavs 'whatever they need' as he readjusts to NBA

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