By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
From considering a return to the NBA or FC Barcelona, among more reports about moving away from Real Madrid, Mario Hezonja signed a contract extension with Los Blancos instead.
Hezonja, 29, announced his decision with a message shared across personal social media accounts on Thursday morning.
“As you all know, after my last game of the season I became a free agent and I am free to decide where I want to play for the next years. I did not enter any agreement with anyone else as of now, and like I said you will hear it from me first always! Real Madrid believed in me when many didn’t, cared for me and my family since the first day I arrived and made us feel at home. My only intention was to stay so I am happy to communicate to you that I will continue my journey at MY HOME, MY REAL MADRID for a long time! Hala Madrid,” he wrote.
Real Madrid believed in me when many didn’t, cared for me and my family since the first day I arrived and made us feel at home. My only intention was to stay so I am happy to communicate to you that I will continue my journey at MY HOME, MY REAL MADRID for a long time!
— Mario Hezonja (@mariohezonja) June 20, 2024
Featuring in 38 games of the 2023-24 edition of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, the Croatian forward tallied 13.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest. He got a nod for the All-EuroLeague Second Team. His contributions in winning Spain’s Liga Endesa translated into 10.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game over 38 appearances. Becoming a EuroLeague champion highlighted his efforts in the 2022-23 campaign, his first after joining the team based in the capital of Spain.
👑🇪🇸 Mario Hezonja announced that he has extended his contract with Real Madrid! pic.twitter.com/e1yX4rcAb1
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) June 20, 2024
In an ensuing twist, his new contract has an NBA-out clause until July 19, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. And reported interest in his services from NBA teams complicates his status.
Mario Hezonja has an NBA-out until July 19 this summer as part of extension with Euroleague’s Real Madrid, and sources say he is receiving interest from multiple teams to return to NBA. The five-year NBA veteran averaged 11.9 points and 4.4 rebounds for Real Madrid in 2023-24.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 20, 2024
Playing for the Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks, and Orlando Magic, Hezonja made his way to 336 NBA games from 2015 to 2020.