By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Cleveland Cavaliers adding Mario Hezonja to their roster ahead of a challenging 2026–27 campaign brings a distinct European flavor. At preseason media day on Monday, the 31-year-old Croatian wing showed a hunger to fit right into the established core.
“It was an option through all of these years that I went back,” he discussed previous NBA offers during his return to Europe between 2021 and 2026. “It was always, a little bit, bothering me, coming to the NBA, unaccomplished, very young. So, definitely blessed and thankful to have clubs that wanted me.”
Crowned EuroLeague champion in 2023, he is back in the NBA, looking completely different than he did during his first stint in the league. “I’m coming back at 6’9, 260,” he stated, noting his enhanced size gives the staff unique lineup options.
Hezonja rejects any individual ego. “The mentality is giving to this team, giving to this coach, giving to my teammates, just giving back what they invested in me,” he explained.
Dutch Tristan Enaruna matched that devotion to the group, after using his summer to build explosiveness and handle interior hits. Entering his second year, he plans to assert himself off the ball.
“I want to be available on cuts, opening up the floor, making it easier for guys like Don and James to get downhill,” detailed the 25-year-old forward.
Training camp starts Tuesday, and from there the Cavs focus on their preseason schedule en route to the opener of the 2026–27 NBA regular season against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 22.
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