The 6-foot-9 Israeli is a fantastic fit in Portland, and the team has been watching him for a while.
Israel’s Deni Avdija embraces new challenge with Portland
Portland is a great spot for the 6-foot-9 Israeli, and the club has been eyeing him for some time.
DENI AVDIJA (left) is greeted by new Portland Trail Blazers teammate Scoot Henderson (right) this week in the locker room. (photo credit: Portland Trail Blazers/Courtesy)
DENI AVDIJA (left) is greeted by new Portland Trail Blazers teammate Scoot Henderson (right) this week in the locker room.
To say that the Israel basketball world was stunned when the news hit of the country’s lone NBA player Deni Avdija being traded from the Washington Wizards to the Portland Trail Blazers on draft night would be an understatement.
However, it wasn’t just the Holy Land hoop aficionados who were shocked to see the news cross the wires in the middle of the night – it was Avdija himself as well who didn’t see it coming, and perhaps was even blindsided by the move.
“I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect [to be traded],” the 23-year-old forward said at his first Trail Blazers media appearance on Monday. “Sometimes that’s the business and I embrace it. At the beginning, it was a little shocking as DC was my home for four years and I had some great moments with the Wizards and now I am in a different place. I was a little shocked, it’s tough to leave home, but I’m excited to start a new chapter and really take this organization to the next level.”
Just like his fans in Israel, Avdija was jolted into a new reality early in the morning as he was in a deep slumber.
“Well, I was sleeping. I was in Israel, it was 2 a.m., I woke up, they let me know, the whole ‘Woj bomb’ thing. I didn’t go back to sleep that night. It was shocking. It took me time to embrace it, but now that I’m over it, I feel like I’m in a great spot, and I’m very happy.”
Portland is definitely a great spot for the 6-foot-9 Israeli, and the club has had an eye on him for quite some time. Former ESPN draft analyst and current Blazers assistant general manager Mike Schmitz traveled the world following Avdija, who helped Israel win back-to-back Under-20 European Championships in 2018 and 2019 while also capturing the tourney’s MVP award in the latter, which was held in Tel Aviv.
“I’m very excited, and this is a new chapter in my journey,” Avdija exclaimed. “It’s a great organization; they welcomed me very, very nicely, so it’s a good start. I’m glad to be in a place where people embrace me and love me. I’m going to bring my competitiveness and we are going to have a lot of fun.”
The fun will come on a team that features a number of up-and-coming young studs, including Scoot Henderson, who was selected third overall in last year’s draft, along with Shaedon Sharpe, Anfernee Simons and Deandre Ayton. While he doesn’t have any pre-existing relationships with any of the current players, everyone has welcomed him with open arms to Rip City.
Avdija enters Portland
“The players welcomed me pretty well. Everyone is smiling and sending congratulations. When [management] picked me up at the airport, we spoke about the city, the culture, what they expect from me. When I look at the value of the trade, they gave up a lot to get me and I feel that it’s an honor.”
While he didn’t list it as one of the attributes he brings to the table, Avdija happens to be one of the most unselfish players in a league that is full of players who want to show that they are the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be. With his team-first mentality, Avdija knows that he will be able to help make a group that is just coming out of their shell and who only won 21 games last season better.
“I’m always about making the right play, trying to make the right play as much as I can. I’m very team friendly. My teammates, I want to do the best I can to make them be better on the court. Just someone hard-nosed, just trying to come do his job and win games, that’s it. I’ll definitely try to help the young guys and bring their game up a level. I am here for them.”
Avdija also wants to continue to evolve and improve himself as well and he will do his best to keep on getting better while soaking up what he is being given by his new head coach, Chauncey Billups, and his staff as a key cog in the club.
“I’m in the gym every day, the weight room and treatment room also, trying to get my body right. It’s really important for me. I want to be there for the team in every game possible. Bring my competitiveness and joy to the game and I feel doing all of the extra stuff around helps me do it. That’s my goal. To play as many games as possible. I did play 82 one year, and I’m going to try to do it again.
“As for expectations, I expect to be a big part of the team, help it become a better team and take it to the next level. I expect to get better every single day. Come here, work out, get the knowledge of the coaches and become a better player and better person.”
The third Israeli in the NBA, after Omri Casspi and Gal Mekel, Avdija has worked hard to get to where he is today. He climbed the ladder at Maccabi Tel Aviv and was named the Israel League MVP in 2020 just prior to beginning his career overseas in the NBA. However, nothing was ever handed to him on a silver platter.
