2016 NBA Rookie Ladder: Is Devin Booker A Star?
10. Mario Hezonja, Orlando Magic
I’ve tried to cover as many rookies as possible in these rankings because this class as a whole has arguably been the deepest since 2003.
Mario Hezonja got off to a rough start this season buried on the bench behind other forwards, but the Tobias Harris trade allowed Aaron Gordon to move into the starting lineup which opened up more minutes for Hezonja to prove why he was such a high pick in the first place.
His athleticism is always on display with him constantly running up and down the floor and looking to make plays in transition. But his shooting touch is his main calling card when he gets it going.
He’s only shooting 33.3 percent from three-point range on the season but he also hasn’t gotten the opportunities some have to develop throughout the year.
There’s nothing wrong with his stroke and his size at 6-foot-8 could play a part in some versatile lineups for coach Scott Skiles and the Magic.
Based on pure ability he’s already the most talented wing in Orlando. Only time will tell if he eventually emerges as one of the Magic’s best overall players.
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