By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Before signing a five-year contract extension with Real Madrid, Mario Hezonja was considering his options as a free agent with early talks apparently expanding to Partizan Mozzart Bet.
Hezonja, 29, opened up about conversations with the head coach of Partizan, Zeljko Obradovic.
“How can I answer that now? I see myself and I do not see myself,” he replied to a question about possibly joining Partizan, posed by Telegraf following his appearance in the Drazen Legacy game on Thursday, “These are difficult questions and difficult answers, but I thank them as much as possible.”
“I have never talked to anybody on my phone in my life and enjoyed it as much as I did when I talked to Zeljko Obradovic,” continued the veteran of 336 NBA games and former Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion, “It is something incredible. A man so relaxed. He seems to be made of gold. How much he has won and what he has done for European basketball. I thank him from the bottom of my heart, not only for this summer but for everything. He has always been there for me. He knew how to embrace me and tell me great things, which a player needs to hear from a great coach. I am grateful to both him and Mr. Savic [Partizan team manager].”
The Croatian combo forward joined Madrid in 2022, penning a two-year contract. After winning the EuroLeague championship in 2023 and the ACB championship in 2024, he committed to five more years with the team based in the capital of Spain.