In the gray, rain-soaked city of Portland, a 24-year-old Israeli is creating basketball history. Deni Avdija, posting unprecedented numbers of 23.7 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game in March, has become a serious candidate for NBA Player of the Month – a height no Israeli has ever reached. Beyond the statistics lies a humble young man who remains grounded despite his meteoric rise, balancing the pride of representing Israel during difficult times with the pressure of elite professional sports.
Portland has fewer than 500 Israelis and is distant from Israeli centers like LA, New York, or Miami. Avdija blends into the local population, one of their own. When Deni was traded from Washington to Portland less than a year ago, many Israeli fans were disappointed. Portland is considered the most remote NBA city, a place few stars want to play, with a team whose future seemed bleak. However, this move has unexpectedly become the perfect opportunity for Deni's career to flourish.
And him? He remains true to himself, shakes everyone's hand, and signs autographs for children until the arena lights turn off. He enjoys the moment but knows when and where to keep his ego in check. A local hero inside the Moda Center in downtown Portland and beyond. A player who took a struggling team and unified it. Perhaps this season won't culminate in a playoff achievement, but the direction is clear – and the present is just the gateway to the future for who will likely be remembered as the greatest Israeli basketball player ever.
Not just a basketball player
For four days, we shadowed Avdija as closely as possible. In the practice facility, before and after games, in the locker room, on the court, and off it. We observed his relationships with teammates, with his coach Chauncey Billups, and with the fans who wear the best-selling jersey in Portland – number 8.
Q: Do you know what they say about you? What do they think?
"What do they think about me? Not really. I know I'm a good player and they probably think I play well."
Q: Do you understand that you're a national pride for an entire nation?
"I honestly don't know that. I feel like I'm just doing my job. You're embarrassing me. I don't know how to react, but that's the truth. I'm a human being, that's my truth.
"I'm happy that people see me as something beyond basketball, because I also feel I'm more than 'just a basketball player.' I don't share much about myself, I'm not often in front of cameras, but I love to influence people and give back to the community, and I love Israel, so I'm glad people think this way. I know my mom is proud of me, my family and friends are proud of me, but... when you tell me an entire country, it's moving to know that, honestly."
Q: Do you connect more with your Israeli identity? Is it part of your identity in the league?
"I grew up with friends in the neighborhood on a basketball court, so I was always connected to my Israeli identity. It was always a part of who I am. Every time I see people or meet friends, I feel that I'm Israeli, and of course I'm also a regular person like them. Has my awareness strengthened? Yes, I can say it has. I love the country very much and talk a lot about Israel, also with the guys on the team, and I'm proud to be Israeli.
"For example, I bring them [the Portland players] food from my mother's home, sweets from Israel. I give them gifts for holidays, as is customary here, and then I show them the culture I grew up in.
"On the other hand, there are also times when I forget about it. Many times you're at home, and everything around you is in English and very American, so after five years in the US, you get used to it. It's not simple."
"Very proud to be Israeli"
On Simchat Torah 2023, the day of the massacre in the Gaza border communities, Deni found himself experiencing the hardest and most painful day personally since arriving in the US.
"I remember October 7 as if it happened yesterday," he shared. "The events caught me at home [Avdija played in Washington at that time], I was almost falling asleep because it was nighttime here, and then my friend, a combat soldier, called and told me 'Listen, there's crazy chaos in Israel, I wanted to let you know. A disaster happened, turn on the news.' I went downstairs, turned on the TV, and watched everything happening live while thousands of miles from Israel.
"At first, like everyone else, I didn't understand the magnitude of the event. I saw that Hamas pickup truck in Sderot and you don't really comprehend, we're not used to events like these, it's a once-in-a-generation, once-in-a-lifetime event. I had to go to sleep because there was morning practice the next day, but I couldn't fall asleep, how can anyone sleep? My friends from the neighborhood are IDF soldiers; how can I sleep? The next morning, the team allowed me to rest, meaning I didn't practice. They understood the situation and sent me home. It was a shock for me, without a doubt."
Q: The hostages – how much are you thinking about them in your daily life?
"Wow, a lot. During the release days, I was constantly in front of the TV and it moved me so much. All the survivors who came out of captivity recently moved me, and one of them especially – Omer Shem Tov from Herzliya. He's an amazing guy, we have mutual friends and it was crazy to see him return home. I think about all the hostages, every single one of them. The situation isn't simple, but I try to stay as informed as possible. I'm very connected to everything happening in Israel, without a doubt."
Q: Has this changed you? Does the Israeli flag mean something different to you now?
"I'm not a person who will constantly be doing advocacy now, but I am of course very, very proud to be Israeli. I also maintain a healthy and good relationship within the team. They tried to understand what happened on Oct. 7."
Q: Did they ask you questions? Was there anyone who was angry with you because you're Israeli, who tried to justify the other side?
"They asked me questions, sure, but mainly from a place of lack of knowledge. They wanted to know, understand, and be part of what I went through. I don't know if anyone was angry - I haven't encountered anything like that. And honestly," he says with a smile, "I don't think anyone would have the courage to come and tell me they support the other side. Even if there are people who thought differently, I don't think they would come and tell me that. You know, I've played with players from many nationalities, but within a team, where you're from doesn't matter."
You're right to question this translation. A more accurate and natural translation of this question would be:
Q: Have you experienced any negative reactions or hostility from crowds during games in the US?
"It has almost never happened in the arenas. I've encountered it more on social media, though I don't pay attention to those platforms. Yes, there have definitely been threats. I've received threatening messages online, but I don't read them. I play in one of America's most-watched leagues, and people know I'm the only Jewish player in the NBA, so naturally some have targeted me with their anti-Israel hatred."
Q: Did the NBA leadership or Commissioner Adam Silver, who is Jewish, reach out to you?
"Adam Silver called me a day or two after October 7. He expressed that his heart was with me and with everyone in Israel, asked if my family and friends were safe, and showed genuine concern that really touched me. I hadn't expected that call, but it meant a lot. The league leadership has definitely been supportive. Through all this, I've also learned to be smart, not just right. That's something I strongly believe in - it's part of how I've grown during my time here."
"I came here to work"
To understand Deni's life, you need to understand where he lives. Oregon sits on America's western edge, blanketed in endless greenery with waterfalls around every corner, ancient forests, and serene lakes. The mighty Columbia River cuts through the state, with the Pacific Ocean bordering its western shore. It's truly a paradise postcard.
Portland is a quiet city whose highlights include numerous rose gardens and Nike's world headquarters (essentially a city within itself) with thousands of employees – all defining elements of the city's character and pride. It's two hours from Seattle, and the Blazers are the westernmost team in the league.
In this tranquil environment, Deni thrives and appreciates every moment. His focus remains entirely on his work. While people recognize and speak with him, they respect his space, allowing him to dine comfortably in restaurants. The community has embraced him, and the city rallies passionately around its basketball team.
During the late 80s and early 90s, led by star Clyde Drexler, the team enjoyed tremendous success. They posted the league's best records and reached the finals twice, losing first to Detroit's "Bad Boys" Pistons and then to the Chicago Bulls featuring Michael Jordan.
The team has struggled in recent years, but this season with Deni, they've undergone a remarkable transformation. Currently, they're competing for a "play-in" spot that could lead to playoff qualification - the ultimate achievement in basketball's premier league. Accordingly, the previously empty arena is filling up again, and during our visit, the 20,000-seat venue was nearly at capacity. The excitement has returned to Portland.
This is also one of the NBA's youngest teams. While lacking a superstar, it features players from multiple countries and represents a freshness and unity often missing in American team sports, which tend to emphasize individual achievement.
At their spacious training facility outside the city, in a setting where "serenity" hardly captures the profound quietness, you can witness the team's cohesion and camaraderie - with Deni at the center. He didn't seize leadership loudly but earned it through friendship, daily actions, and a personality that welcomes everyone while remaining authentic. The team chemistry Deni fostered has remained strong throughout the challenges since October 7.
Q: Portland is nothing like Tel Aviv – it's completely quiet.
"Let's be honest – many places aren't like Tel Aviv. It took time to adjust, but I've found value in this tranquility. The stunning surroundings provide inner peace. Portland is wonderful for me. Yes, Tel Aviv never sleeps, but I came here to work. Of course I miss Israel's beaches, sunshine, and climate, but I truly appreciate this place - its nature and the people who've embraced me. The team is this city's heart, and I feel that everywhere."
Q: Do you feel like you're living your dream?
"Maybe I'll surprise you and many other people – my dream initially was to be a soccer player. I really wanted to be a soccer player. I played basketball for fun, but I didn't think I would be in the Israeli Premier League and certainly not in the NBA, and I definitely didn't think there would be all this craziness around me.
"Now I can say that I am living the dream, but more than basketball it's life itself. Seeing places, meeting new people, creating friendships, and influencing others. That's actually the dream I'm living right now.
"I feel like I'm able to touch the lives of other people, and sometimes I don't even understand how much. For instance, something that seems very simple to me, like saying hello to a child, or other small everyday things. For me it's not much, but for that child it's something he'll never forget. That's a principle I take for life.
"It took me time, even as I mature, to understand how much small daily actions truly impact – and it doesn't have to be just because I'm a basketball player, it could also be going to the supermarket and telling someone to have a good day, or saying 'I like your shoes and your shirt.' You understand how much influence you have on other people, not just if you're a famous basketball player, but also if you're a human being in general – and obviously if you're also a public figure."
"I added a certain energy to the team"
After five years in the league, especially given his tremendous improvement this season and particularly these past two months, the question arises: Can Deni make the leap to becoming a standout NBA player?
"I believe I'm a legitimate player," he says. "But define 'legitimate.' A player who could start on any team and be among its leaders? Absolutely, I think so. Some teams are a better fit for me than others, but yes, I'm legitimate."
Q; Have you gotten used to the situation where you are, like most NBA players, a kind of "tradable asset"? If they want, you move from Washington to Portland overnight.
"It's something you live with and are aware of. There are things that aren't up to me. What I can control is being the best on the court. That means training every day, investing in my body. Besides that, whatever they want to do with me – that's their business. A player's life follows a demanding routine.
"I don't think what I say can truly reflect to readers what happens behind the scenes of an NBA player. Many people see me on the court, 48 minutes, and that's it. No one knows what happens in between the travels, a night here and then the next night another game. Everything is relative, but life is different away from the cameras."
Q: We were with you in the team's locker room, and we noticed how close-knit you all are. There are no ego-driven stars, just a cohesive, young team where no one puts themselves above the others. There's a real sense of brotherhood.
"There's no ego here. I mean, clearly there is, but it's positive and on the court, not in the locker room. We're almost the youngest team in the league, so there's a kind of brotherhood. I can tell you that when I came, the connection between the players was a little more, how do I say it, give me a word..."
Q: Distant? There was less connection?
"I think I helped create a positive environment. I think part of it is because I bring an outside perspective as the only European on the team, with my Serbian heritage from my father's side and, of course, being Israeli. I bring a different cultural outlook. You can see our unity on the court, and I believe I've added a certain energy to the team. Even the quieter players have opened up and now feel like they're truly part of the group."
Q: And where is your ego? It seems like you don't have an ego.
"No, no, no. Don't exaggerate. I'm a human being, I have an ego. Everyone has an ego. I have nothing to be ashamed of with my ego. I put it in place, and it emerges when it needs to emerge. That means I still stand my ground, I still don't let people move me so much right or left – I have my way, and on the court I take my ego as much and when I need to."
"Special relationship"
Unlike many other NBA stars, Deni isn't very active on social media and doesn't feel drawn to that aspect of celebrity. In the past, he considered creating a vlog to stay connected with his Israeli fans but couldn't bring himself to do it. His authenticity defines who he is – he refuses to present a manufactured persona that doesn't reflect his true character.
On the court, however, he allows himself to express emotions freely, engaging in physical battles and exchanging trash talk even with LeBron James, one of the contenders for the greatest player of all time. Their most recent publicized interaction happened just a month ago on Instagram. Deni posted a photo from a game against the Lakers showing himself dribbling past James, who was down on his knees, and added a small but meaningful smiley face.
"People blow these things out of proportion, but that's the NBA," Deni smiled. "What I did to him has happened countless times in his career – I'm neither the first nor the last to make such a play against him. When he sees me on the court, he knows who I am. We actually match up pretty well against each other. I respect him – he's truly an exceptional player."
Q: In ten years, when you're approaching retirement around age 35-36, what do you want people to remember about this period in your life?
"Wow. That I built a successful career, lived a full life, experienced things, and achieved my goals. I don't want to look back saying I could have been better – instead, that I gave everything on the court and maximized my potential. After all, who doesn't want to make the most of the gifts God gave them?
"I don't want to reflect on my career thinking, 'If only I'd taken that shot differently, maybe I would have won that game more convincingly.' I just want the satisfaction of knowing I gave everything. There's something truly special about knowing I gave 100 percent while staying true to myself – that I remained the same Deni throughout."
"Deni is better than I expected – I trust him to lead the team"
Deni's coach in Portland is Chauncey Billups, a legendary former player and NBA Hall of Famer who starred with the Detroit Pistons and won a championship in 2004.
Billups, who has seen everything basketball has to offer, candidly admits he didn't expect Deni to become one of the team's stars so quickly. "I didn't realize just how good Deni was," he smiled. "I knew he was an excellent rebounder and saw he was a great shooter, but I didn't expect someone who could score 30 points per game. He's significantly better than I anticipated. His ball-handling is outstanding. He excels with the ball in his hands, and even without it, he reads the game brilliantly.
"He's still developing and will improve further. His game, shooting, decision-making –everything will get better. He's remarkably mature, yet still early in his development curve. I've entrusted him with leadership responsibilities, and I'm learning alongside him.
"Regarding Deni's support system, we've opened our doors to his family and personal team. Matan, his agent, has joined us for several trips, and we understand how important the connection between the organization and a player's inner circle is. My relationship with Matan goes beyond the typical agent-coach dynamic – we have a special connection, and I've assured him Deni will absolutely fulfill his potential.
"Deni is a pleasure to coach. He takes the game seriously. Though young, he approaches basketball with remarkable maturity and professionalism. He's a winner without a trace of selfishness – a true team player. I especially appreciate his toughness. He plays with heart and possesses comprehensive talent – shooting, driving to the basket, and playing strong defense. His personality is wonderful, and it's a joy to know him personally. Deni is a leader on this team, and I love his passionate, fiery playing style. He's a genuine leader."
Much more than basketball
The NBA represents the ultimate dream for anyone who picks up a basketball. Few reach this level, and fewer still make a significant impact. It's one of the most demanding organizations in sports—82 regular season games, constant travel, almost daily relocation. A lifestyle offering glory, respect, and substantial wealth, but challenging nonetheless.
Just when a player adapts to a city, team, and teammates, he might wake up to hear: "Pack everything – you're moving tomorrow." This means starting fresh in a new environment, under media scrutiny, with fans expecting immediate success, and countless factors to navigate when success and failure are separated by the thinnest margins.
Deni Avdija came from Herzliya to Washington. He gradually adapted to the league, its demands, and his team – until one night they told him he was moving to Portland, Oregon's capital at the westernmost edge of the country. Yet within a year, he became the face of the organization. He confronted challenges without faltering, persisting instead. Through stubborn determination and grueling work – countless repetitions in practices nobody witnesses, adding 28.7 pounds of muscle in the gym – everything transformed.
After ten months in Portland, Deni has become a legitimate basketball star. Our four days with him reinforced that he's not just another player – he represents something beyond the sport itself.
This is possible because his fundamental quality remains unchanged—his character. Deni Avdija displays zero arrogance; everything about him is natural and effortless. With authentic integrity and genuine modesty, he remains that same boy from Herzliya who happens to be a basketball star. Supported by his parents Sharon and Zufer, and agents who function more like family – Matan Siman Tov and Doug Neustadt –his story features a promising beginning, an impressive middle, and a future that (knock on wood) reads like something from legends.
