Should the Sixers Consider Him Higher Than Five?
There will always be concerns with drafting overseas prospects for two reasons; the competition level and translating a prospect’s game to the NBA. Hezonja did play for one of the best teams in one of the best leagues overseas, but there is always going to be a lingering question about how he will play against superior competition and whether he can adapt to the NBA.
But, Hezonja has a few things working for him as an International prospect. First, his shooting ability should be able to translate the NBA, even though the three-point line is 1’8” further back at the top of the arc. Secondly, his weaknesses are more about his psyche rather than his skill set. This doesn’t mean that he has zero holes in his game, but if he applies himself consistently on both ends of the court he will have fixed one of his biggest flaws. Also, although Hezonja is currently signed to a long-term deal with FC Barcelona, he has the ability to buy himself out of the deal and all intentions are that he will be in the NBA next season.
Hezonja’s size, along with his shooting ability and athleticism, make him the most intriguing prospect in this year’s draft. If Hez can continue to shoot it at a high clip from deep and is fully engaged on both ends, he has the ability to become a Wesley Matthews/Courtney Lee type two-guard. Add in his athleticism with potential growth in his ball handling and play making skills, Hezonja has the potential to blossom into a Klay Thompson like star at the two-guard position.
Mario Hezonja may not have as high as a floor as a player like Justise Winslow, but his ceiling his is very high. I wouldn’t draft him over Karl-Anthony Towns or D’Angelo Russell, but once you get into that three through five range of the draft is when Hezonja should become a serious option for the Sixers.
Also if the Sixers drafted Hezonja they would have Joel & Noel and Mario & Dario. So many t-shirts and even more fun.
All statistics were retrieved from basketball.realgm.com.