By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
EuroLeague star Mario Hezonja described Real Madrid as the ideal destination he could’ve found right now in his career since the ambitions of the club match his competitive characteristics.
“I’m happy to have the opportunity to play for the greatest club in the world, I’m proud of this,” Hezonja said per Real Madrid. “I’ve got the chance to fight for every title here. What’s more, I’ve followed the team and there are some good players here with a lot of character and the desire to win. It’s a perfect place for me, given my mentality and the type of player I am. I want to win more titles and that’s what I’ve come here for.”
Hezonja joined Real Madrid after spending the previous season with Unics Kazan in Russia. He averaged 14.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 25 EuroLeague games before the team was expelled from the competition in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In VTB League, Hezonja was named season MVP after posting 18.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals.
Next season Hezonja will be a teammate of some Real Madrid greats such as captain Sergio Llull, Rudy Fernandez and recent returnee Sergio Rodriguez. The Croatian forward was an opponent to the three of them in ACB as a player of Barcelona before he left for the NBA in 2015.
“I know the team pretty well and the likes of Llull, Rudy, Sergio Rodríguez,” Hezonja said. “They’re players who’ve had some great years in Europe and in the Spanish league. I want to help the rest of the team, be a leader by setting an example and fighting for all of the trophies.”