By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Mario Hezonja will be included in the preliminary roster of the Croatian national team for the Olympic Qualifiers according to Sportske. If the report is confirmed, the Panathinaikos swingman will wear Croatia’s jersey for the first time since the 2016 Olympics.
This reported invitation is a sign that the once strained relationship between Hezonja and the Croatian Federation has improved. Back in November, Hall of Famer and Croatian Federation Chief of Staff Dino Radja had said that he feels sorry that Hezonja is not on the national team and that he “can’t communicate” with him.
Croatia will be hosting one of the Olympic Qualifying tournaments in Split. Russia, Brazil, Tunisia and Germany will also compete in the tournament and fight for the first place that leads to the Olympics.
Hezonja has been playing with Panathinaikos since February when he returned to Europe after spending five years in the NBA. The 26-year-old player participated in eight EuroLeague games with the Greens, averaging 14.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals.