Mario Hezonja plays pickup basketball with group of kids

Mario Hezonja, of the Orlando Magic, is known for his confidence and swagger. However, he showed a lighter side on Christmas Eve at the Magic practice facility when he spent some time playing pickup basketball with a group of kids.

NBA players playing against children are great for two reasons. One is the obvious joy the kids get out of going up against one of the world’s best basketball players, and perhaps even making a jumpshot with them guarding them. The second? When the kid goes up for a layup and immediately gets it rejected. Welcome to the real world kid where nothing’s easy.

Hezonja delivers in both of these areas, and pretty clearly makes this group of kids day with his choice to stay around and play with them. He’s an NBA player now. It’s Christmas Eve. He could be out doing anything he wants right now, and he’s spending his time dropping dimes to children and celebrating as they make the shot. He doesn’t have to do any of this, and that just makes it that much cooler.