Barcelona prodigy Mario Hezonja has revealed that he is unsure about declaring for the 2015 NBA Draft and is currently happy in Spain.
Hezonja, 19 is one of the most the promising European players in his class and has been an important figure in Barcelona’s season, both in the Euroleague and in the Liga Endesa.
The Croatian averages 8 points, shooting 44.8 percent from the outside, to go along with two rebounds in the Euroleague and the youngster is playing with great confidence in his own ability. He can get to the hoop using his quickness and deceiving strength, runs the open court to great affect and is a smart, yet aggressive defender.
With his age and maturity, it’s hard to believe that Hezonja is yet to turn 20.
He has time on his side, but Hezonja, a heavy candidate to go to next year’s NBA Draft is still undecided and might put his transatlantic adventure on hold.
“I don’t know if I’ll enter the draft,” Hezonja told Basketball Insiders. “I might, but who knows what pick I’ll be? Before I go to the NBA I want to become a leader and win with Barcelona.”
And Hezonja is fast proving to NBA scouts that he can lead his team out of trouble. It might not have been enough last Thursday night in Tel Aviv when Barcelona were edged 70-68 by champions Maccabi Electra but he was a factor in nearly giving his side a vital win before the hosts found calm at the foul line.
Plus, Barcelona coach Xavi Pascual has an enormous amount of faith in Hezonja’s ability, on numerous occasions publicly showing that faith by putting the young Croatian on the court at crunch time.
“My coach trusts me and I believe in myself,” Hezonja said. “I’m not scared at all of the last moments of the game, I want to win.”
The 19-year-old will eventually test the NBA water, but for now, he’s comfortable with the level of play in the Euroleague.
