Magic covet versatility shooting guard Mario Hezonja provides
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Mario Hezonja wasn't about to dub himself Super Mario after learning the Orlando Magic took him with the fifth pick in the NBA draft Thursday night.
But there was no shortage of superlatives from general manager Rob Hennigan in describing the 6-foot-8 combination shooting guard and small forward from Croatia who will be the first European-born first-round draft pick of the Magic to play for them in more than 20 years.
"We feel like he's a great fit in a lot of different ways," Hennigan said of Hezonja, who has played professionally since he was 13 and has spent the past three seasons in Spain with FC Barcelona Basquet. "We love his skill set. We love his personality. We love the charisma and swagger he plays with, and we think he'll fit in quite well."
Hezonja's quick release and ability to finish at the rim as well as spot up from the corners might be his strongest attribute. But his confidence bordering on cockiness was talked and written about more than anything regarding him in the days leading up to the draft.
"That pushes me every day to go even harder and prepares me for the great games ahead," he said in a conference call from Barcelona, where it was 2 a.m. local time when he learned he'd be coming to the Magic. "That's just me and who I am."
One turn after the selection of Kristaps Porzingis by the New York Knicks was met with a loud chorus of boos by their fans in attendance at the draft in Brooklyn, the announcement of the 20-year-old Hezonja was greeted by a crowd of several thousand Magic fans at the Amway Center more warmly. Originally a point guard when he turned pro, Hezonja was regarded as the top player at a position where the Magic took Victor Oladipo second overall two years ago.
The Magic already have several players capable of playing multiple positions, including 2014 first-round pick Aaron Gordon. Hezonja's versatility was a selling point to new coach Scott Skiles.
"There's all kinds of combinations that we can put out there," Skiles said. "More versatility is always good."
"This is in line with our philosophy about really trying to play with versatile players and interchangeable players," Hennigan said. "We see Mario as someone who can play with all of our guys, including Tobias (Harris), including Aaron, including Victor and everybody right down the line."
The Magic took another Croatian with their second first-round pick a year ago in Dario Saric, but his rights were traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in order to acquire Elfrid Payton. In 2005, the Magic used the 11th overall pick on Fran Vazquez, who chose to remain in Spain rather than sign with them.
Hennigan insisted there would be no repeat of that nightmare scenario when it comes to Hezonja.
"We're fully confident he will be with us next season," he said. "We have no concerns over the buyout."
Hezonja's commitments in Spain prevented him from working out at the NBA combine last month. But Hennigan said Magic international scout Marti Artigas was based in Barcelona and got to see him play for at least the past four years.
Hennigan, Skiles and assistant general manager Scott Perry met him in Barcelona earlier this month.
"As soon as I met the guys, we clicked on the first meeting," Hezonja said. "I really enjoyed spending time with them."
The Magic already have international representation on their roster in center Nikola Vucevic and guard Evan Fournier. Vucevic has been their leading rebounder the past three years, while Fournier will likely compete with Hezonja for playing time off the bench.
Fournier, who was acquired on draft night a year ago from the Denver Nuggets, tweeted out his approval of the selection:
I know who's happy... @NikolaVucevic. Welcome Mario
— Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) June 26, 2015
The Magic ranked near the bottom of the league in most offensive and defensive categories last season. Skiles admitted Hezonja won't make an impact right away on defense.
"Like a lot of great offensive players, especially young great offensive players, he probably takes a possession or two off right now when maybe he shouldn't," he said. "But that isn't anything that can't be corrected."
But Hennigan didn't hesitate to call Hezonja "a super-talented kid" whose potential and NBA-ready body made him the player the Magic had targeted all along.
"We feel very, very comfortable with Mario, his profile and everything we know about him," Hennigan said.
The Magic's other pick came late in the second round when they took guard Tyler Harvey of Eastern Washington with the 51st overall selection. Harvey led all Division I players last season in scoring (23.1) and 3-point field goals made (128) and helped his team to a school-record 26 wins and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
You can follow Ken Hornack on Twitter @HornackFSFla or email him at khornack32176@gmail.com.
