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Magic take leap of faith with Mario

Who knows whether he'll turn into Super Mario, but Mario Hezonja can score a lot of points before he scores a lot of points just by actually showing up in Orlando.

Hezonja is the first international player chosen this high since You Know Who.

Yes, this is the 10th anniversary of the Fran Vazquez fiasco.

You know the inglorious history of No-Show Fran: The Magic's first-ever foreigner selected as a lottery pick (No. 11 in 2005) never reported for duty, electing to stay mainly in Spain.

By all accounts and by all the hugging in the Magic's draft room Thursday night, Hezonja, a 6-foot-8 wing player from Croatia, will surface in O-Town along with his net-seeking jump shots.