Mario Hezonja becomes the first recipient of FIBA's First Round European Qualifiers MVP award
Mario Hezonja has received one of the greatest individual honors of his international career to date: the International Basketball Federation named him the Most Valuable Player of the first round of the European Qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup. According to FIBA's official announcement, this is a new award category introduced for the first time in this qualifying cycle to give special recognition to the best individual performers in the opening stage of the competition. Hezonja thus became the first winner of the First Round MVP award, while also being selected for the European Qualifiers All-Star Five. In its explanation, FIBA emphasized his crucial role in Croatia's record of five wins and one defeat in Group E and in the national team's return to the second round of qualifying. The recognition came after a period in which the 31-year-old Real Madrid player was his team's leading scorer, top rebounder and one of its main playmakers.
FIBA required candidates to have appeared in at least four of the six first-round games, and Hezonja played in all six encounters. The competition's official statistics show that he scored a total of 116 points, grabbed 50 rebounds, distributed 32 assists and recorded seven steals. That corresponds to averages of 19.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game, with an average efficiency rating of 24.0. It is particularly impressive that he produced much of that output with a high level of shooting efficiency: according to FIBA's statistical profile, he made 45.5 percent of all his field-goal attempts and 90.3 percent of his free throws. Such a combination of scoring production, rebounding and offensive organization formed the basis of the decision for him to lead the new generation of qualifying award recipients.
Historic triple-double in Cyprus
The defining moment of Hezonja's first round occurred on July 3, 2026, in Limassol, where Croatia defeated Cyprus 123:50. According to FIBA's official report, Hezonja recorded 11 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in 29 minutes, becoming the first basketball player to register a triple-double in the history of the European World Cup Qualifiers since the competition began being played in its current format. He achieved it on only five field-goal attempts, making all four of his two-point shots and shooting 80 percent overall from the field. Along with three steals, his statistical efficiency rating was 28, while Croatia outscored its opponent by as many as 58 points during the minutes he spent on the court. That performance was not merely a personal record, but also a symbol of the way the national team captain connected the different parts of the squad during the final qualifying window.
The 73-point victory also carried broader historical significance. FIBA announced that the 123:50 result represented the largest victory ever recorded in the World Cup Qualifiers, surpassing the previous record that had been set only a few hours earlier. Croatia had taken complete control by halftime, and the game ended as a demonstration of offensive depth and rebounding dominance. Hezonja did not force his own shot, instead directing the rhythm of the game through passing, transition play and the timely involvement of his teammates. That type of contribution is essential to understanding the MVP recognition: his value in the qualifiers did not derive solely from the number of points he scored, but also from his ability to change roles depending on the needs of the lineup. The historic triple-double was therefore the most visible example of the versatility he displayed throughout the entire first round.
After the game, FIBA recalled that several players had come close to a triple-double in previous European qualifying campaigns, but no one before Hezonja had reached double figures in three statistical categories. Among the closest were his national-team teammate Jaleen Smith, who recorded 12 points, nine rebounds and nine assists against Germany, and German international Johannes Voigtmann, who produced 23 points, nine rebounds and nine assists against Finland in 2023. Hezonja's achievement carries additional weight because it came in a game in which Croatia had already secured qualification, but continued to play at maximum intensity because all results are carried over into the next stage. In the qualifying system, every victory remains important after the groups are merged, so a large winning margin does not itself bring additional points, but the win-loss record directly shapes the starting position in the second round. Thanks to victories in Cyprus and against Israel, Croatia completed the opening stage with a 5-1 record.
Consistency across all six games
Hezonja's path to the award was not based on only one exceptional evening. In the first qualifying window in November and December 2025, he scored 25 points in a 100:60 home victory over Cyprus, before recording 19 points and 13 rebounds in an 85:71 win over Israel in Riga. In February 2026, Croatia defeated reigning world and European champion Germany 93:88 in Zagreb, with Hezonja contributing 21 points, five assists, three steals and one block according to FIBA's scoresheet. Two days later in Bonn, he scored 30 points in Croatia's only defeat, after Germany prevailed 91:89 following overtime. Even in that game, in which Croatia led for a long time and came close to a second victory over the same opponent, Hezonja remained the team's primary offensive pillar.
The final July window brought a different type of contribution. After the triple-double in Cyprus, Hezonja finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and three assists against Israel in Osijek on July 6, as Croatia won 103:75. The Croatian Basketball Federation reported that the national team secured the transfer of five victories into the second round with that win, the same number as Germany, while Israel carried over two. In that game, the offensive burden was distributed more evenly, and despite a weaker shooting day, Hezonja maintained a strong influence through defensive rebounding and control of the tempo. Such performances demonstrate why FIBA highlighted his contribution to Croatia's renewed confidence and consistency in its explanation. The MVP award therefore represents recognition of a six-month run, rather than only one record-breaking statistical evening.
Another important element was his availability in every qualifying window. The national-team window system frequently leads to major changes in rosters because of simultaneous club commitments in the NBA and European competitions, meaning the continuity of leading players can significantly affect results. Hezonja appeared in all six games and averaged slightly more than 30 minutes on the court. FIBA's records show that he finished the first round as the leading player in the entire European Qualifiers in average efficiency rating, ahead of a series of prominent international players. At the same time, he was among the competition's best rebounders despite primarily playing in the wing positions, further confirming the breadth of his contribution. In a team featuring players such as Dario Šarić, Ivica Zubac, Jaleen Smith and young Michael Ružić, he took responsibility both for finishing offensive possessions and creating opportunities for others.
All-Star Five of a strong European first round
In addition to the Most Valuable Player award, Hezonja led FIBA's First Round All-Star Five. Alongside him, Italian point guard Nico Mannion, Turkish wing Tarik Biberović, Polish international Mateusz Ponitka and Georgian veteran Tornike Shengelia were selected. According to FIBA, Mannion was the main driving force of the Italian offense on the way to a 5-1 record, while Biberović played a crucial role in Turkey's undefeated first round and its two victories over Serbia. Ponitka led Poland, one of only two national teams to finish the first round without a defeat, while averaging close to a double-double. Shengelia averaged more than 21 points for Georgia and particularly distinguished himself in the victory over Spain with 37 points and 10 rebounds. In such competition, Hezonja's selection as MVP further emphasizes the extent to which his overall contribution was recognized at the European level.
FIBA named 17-year-old Slovenian Stefan Joksimović the best young player of the first round. The official announcement stated that Joksimović averaged 10.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists in six games, with his best performance coming when he scored 22 points against Sweden. By introducing awards for the MVP, the All-Star Five and the young star, FIBA gave the qualifiers an additional individual dimension, but linked the criteria to a sufficiently large number of appearances in order to reward consistency. In that context, Hezonja's award has a pioneering character because it opens the list of recipients who will be compared in future qualifying cycles. For Croatian basketball, the recognition comes at a time when the national team is attempting to end a long absence from the world stage.
Croatia enters the new group with five victories
According to FIBA's official schedule, Croatia will play in Group K in the second round with Germany, Israel, Poland, Latvia and the Netherlands. Under the rules published by FIBA, all results from the first round are carried over into the new stage, which means Croatia and Germany enter with a highly favorable 5-1 record, while Israel continues with two wins and four defeats. FIBA announced that the second round will be played across three windows, in August and November 2026 and February 2027. Each national team will play two games against the three new opponents from the former Group F. The top three teams from each of the four second-round groups will qualify for the World Cup, meaning Europe will have a total of 12 representatives.
Croatia's next challenge awaits on August 27, 2026, against Latvia, followed three days later by an away game against the Netherlands. An away encounter with Poland and a home game against the Netherlands are scheduled for November, while the qualifiers will conclude in February 2027 with games against Latvia and Poland. The exact venues and tip-off times of individual games had not yet been confirmed at the time of FIBA's announcement. Poland enters the second round with an undefeated record from its group, while Latvia and the Netherlands bring additional quality and different tactical challenges. In such competition, Hezonja's ability to be a scorer, rebounder and creator at the same time remains one of Croatia's key assets.
The 2027 World Cup will be held in Qatar from August 27 to September 12, with 32 national teams participating in the final tournament. FIBA states that Croatia last played at the World Cup in 2014, giving the current qualifiers additional importance. The national team had to begin its path toward this cycle in the European Pre-Qualifiers, where it earned a place among the 32 participants in the main stage. After disappointments in previous qualifying campaigns, the 5-1 record represents a visible improvement in results, but the ultimate objective has not yet been achieved. In the second round, there will no longer be games against outsiders such as Cyprus, and every defeat can significantly change the standings in the six-team group.
Recognition that confirms a new national-team role
Throughout his career, Hezonja has often been viewed primarily through his ability to create points, his athleticism and his long-range shooting. The first round of the 2027 World Cup Qualifiers showed a broader version of his game, in which defensive rebounding, transition play and offensive organization carried equal importance. His total of 32 assists in six games is particularly notable because it placed him in the role of a secondary point guard, while his record 12 assists against Cyprus demonstrated that he can completely take over playmaking duties when the defense directs its attention toward his shot. At the same time, he recorded at least 10 rebounds in two games and reached 13 in the first encounter with Israel. Such statistical versatility and the team's successful results explained why FIBA awarded him the first MVP honor of this kind.
The award nevertheless does not change the fundamental fact that the qualifiers are only halfway complete. Croatia enters the stage in August in which player availability, club preparations and the limited time for collective work will once again be important factors. As a Real Madrid player, Hezonja will simultaneously be entering preparations for the new club season, while a similar schedule awaits other leading international players from European and NBA clubs. For head coach Tomislav Mijatović, the priority will be to maintain a balance between the experienced core and the players who emerged during individual windows. Hezonja's recognition provides strong confirmation of the direction taken so far, but its true significance will become complete only if the favorable starting position is converted into qualification for the tournament in Qatar.
For now, however, the individual aspect of the first round has received a clear conclusion. Hezonja became the first MVP of the opening stage of the European Qualifiers, the first player to produce a triple-double in the history of that competition format and a member of the All-Star Five. Three recognitions in one cycle confirm that he was one of the most influential basketball players of the European qualifying summer. More importantly for the Croatian national team, his contribution was directly connected with five victories and a favorable entrance into the decisive stage. The next answer will have to come on the court against Latvia, the Netherlands and Poland, where it will be decided whether the historic individual first round will also turn into Croatia's long-awaited return to the World Cup.
Sources:
- FIBA – official announcement of the first-round awards, selection criteria, MVP statistics and composition of the All-Star Five (link)
- FIBA – report on the first triple-double in the history of the European Qualifiers and Croatia's victory over Cyprus (link)
- FIBA – official Mario Hezonja profile with individual and cumulative statistical data from the first round (link)
- FIBA – confirmed group lineups, second-round system and dates of the 2027 World Cup in Qatar (link)
- Croatian Basketball Federation – report on the victory over Israel in Osijek and information about carrying results into the second round (link)