Deni Avdija’s NBA Breakout Becomes a National Celebration in Israel

Long before Deni Avdija made headlines in the NBA, Israeli sportswriter Oren Manor was tracking his every move on Maccabi Tel Aviv’s youth squad. Now, at age 24, Avdija is enjoying a breakout season with the Portland Trail Blazers and an entire country is watching.

In a time of war, grief, and national anxiety, Avdija’s success has offered Israelis a reason to cheer. His name headlines Israeli newspapers daily. Social media buzzes with highlight reels. And fans from Or Akiva to Jerusalem are waking at 5 a.m. to watch him play live.

Since being traded from the Washington Wizards, Avdija’s numbers have soared. Over his last 16 games, he’s averaging 24.9 points and 10.6 rebounds. He’s already notched eight 30-point games this season, including his first two career triple-doubles a leap from his previous 9.8-point average.

Though the Trail Blazers are playoff longshots, Avdija’s performance has electrified fans. For many Israelis, he’s not just the nation’s lone NBA player he’s a source of collective pride.

“Honestly, it’s just really fun and exciting to watch,” says Yaakov Tzedek, a devoted fan who runs a Facebook group for Israeli Avdija supporters. “Especially in a year like this, when things have been so difficult here.”

Avdija’s commitment to his roots is equally remarkable. He’s worn Stars of David on his shoes, posed for photos wrapped in the Israeli flag, and spoken out proudly about his identity, especially following the October 7 Hamas massacre. His visibility has made him more than a basketball player he’s a cultural ambassador, uniting Israelis through sport.

Bar mitzvah families are even booking flights to Portland, much as they once did to see Lionel Messi in Barcelona. “The new trend,” says basketball reporter Moshe Halickman, “is flying to watch Deni play.”

Avdija’s ascent isn’t isolated. Jewish representation in basketball is rising. Israeli-American Danny Wolf is expected to enter this year’s NBA draft. Fellow Israeli Ben Saraf is making waves in Germany. Sacramento Kings star Domantas Sabonis, currently converting to Judaism, adds to the growing roster of Jewish NBA figures.

Still, Avdija stands apart. A three-time Israeli League champion and MVP of the 2019 FIBA U20 European Championship, he’s now captain of Israel’s senior national team. And fans are eager for what’s next: the NBA playoffs.

“He’s doing amazing things personally right now,” Halickman says. “But what we want to see is real team success. He’s only 24. The future is bright.”

Avdija isn’t just scoring points he’s lifting spirits and uniting a nation. And for a people who know what it means to face adversity, his rising star is more than basketball. It’s hope in motion.

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