The star continued his phenomenal play and once again led Portland in points and assists, coming just two rebounds short of a back-to-back triple-double. In 38 minutes on the court, he shot 6-of-15 from the field (3-of-7 from three) and made 10 of 15 free throws. He also finished with a plus-minus rating of +11.

The opponent elevated their game in the final minutes, especially on defense. Avdija committed a critical offensive foul, and in the following possession, he was blocked in a questionable no-call situation with a four-point deficit. The Canadians improved to 7-15 and ended a two-game losing streak, as Tuesday's game marked the first of a five-game homestand for them.

Portland was close again but came away empty-handed, and Tiago Splitter's team continues to mature. Tuesday's game was the first of a five-game road trip, with the next opponent the Cleveland Cavaliers, already tonight at 2:00 AM. After that comes the red-hot Detroit Pistons.

The post Avdija sets career-high despite Portland's 3rd straight loss appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

 James quickly found his playmaking rhythm in the second half while Doncic poured in 17 third-quarter points to help Los Angeles pull away, AP noted. The team secured its third consecutive win to reach an 11-4 record, receiving a significant boost from Austin Reaves, who finished with 26 points.

Keyonte George, born shortly after James' league debut, matched his season high with 33 points for Utah just two days after a game-winning shot against Chicago, while teammate Lauri Markkanen added 31 points in the loss, AP reported. Despite a slow scoring start, James moved past Reggie Miller for the sixth-most 3-pointers in league history with two first-half makes.

 A third-quarter layup extended James' record double-digit scoring streak to 1,293 games—active since Jan. 6, 2007—before the Lakers used a 21-5 run to overcome Utah's 71-point first half, AP stated.

Bronny James entered the game for the final 3:33 and connected on a shot from beyond the arc, AP reported.

The post LeBron James makes historic season debut appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

In the past two years, a new breed of celebrities has emerged in Israel and the US – those who have taken it upon themselves to explain Israel to the world since October 7, and are doing the job excellently. Austin is among the most prominent of them. Though she's only 24, she has already become a household name as a leading advocate for Israel against the flood of hatred, filth, and antisemitism.

This week, Austin and Hassan Yousef sat together, alongside a row of leading Hebrew-speaking comedians, in a kind of post-war after-party – trying to understand together where we're going from here, and whether the end of fighting requires fresh thinking about everything related to advocacy.

The non-Jewish guy from college

Austin was born in New York and raised in Brooklyn and Long Island, daughter of an Israeli family of Iraqi origin that settled in the US. She attended the modern Orthodox North Shore Hebrew Academy for high school, and later studied communications at a private university. At age 16, she went with her class on a Holocaust trip to Poland, an experience that, by her account, greatly strengthened her Jewish identity.

When we met her this week on the top floor of the Sheraton Hotel in Tel Aviv, Austin was busy, as always, updating her millions of followers on various social media platforms about her interview with Israel Hayom. During her very brief visit to Israel, she managed to film a sketch for "Eretz Nehederet" playing herself as a new immigrant, upload a considerable amount of photos and videos to social media (she travels with a dedicated videographer), eat a kosher hamburger, meet family and friends, and also meet us for an interview.

When you were a child, did you ever think that at age 24 you'd be dealing with advocacy for the State of Israel, confronting such amounts of hatred, and mainly experiencing antisemitism in your life?

"Never. I grew up in a home where they made it clear to me very quickly that we are Jews and that we love Israel, because we have family and friends there. We celebrated all the holidays, I ate only kosher, I studied at a religious school, and walked around with my Star of David necklace.

"Antisemitism? Once, in college, a guy started with me, and I told him we couldn't date because I'm Jewish and he's Christian. He didn't understand what I meant, and when we met a year later, he called me 'kike.' I was shocked, smiled at him, and said, 'That's really not funny.' He said to me, 'You were condescending to me, you said you're above me because you're Jewish and you're better than me. You think you're better than everyone.' And suddenly I understood what he was referring to and why he was actually attacking me. For me, when I told him we couldn't date, it wasn't from a place of superiority, but because of the way I was raised and educated. But then I understood how he interpreted it.

"What I took from that incident is that I, as a Jew, have double responsibility, and I represent something bigger than just myself. I can't talk like that to people, because they won't understand what I mean, and it could create damage and hurt others. But until that incident, I had never felt antisemitism. I knew we were Jews, and every summer vacation we would come for a two-month visit to Israel, which for me meant lots of schnitzel and beach paddles."

Then on October 7, the bubble burst.

"I didn't understand what was happening. At first, when I watched television, I still accepted the narrative of the various channels and thought Israel was to blame for something. Then I understood what was happening and realized this was a battle for home, because what they told us on television wasn't what every person understood immediately – they murdered and kidnapped people here, how can you justify such a thing?!

"It seemed logical to me, like any normal person, to post something for the hostages, because it was the right thing to do. Not just as a Jew, but in general. But we quickly understood that wasn't the situation. At first, they still supported us, but the discourse in the US changed very quickly. I started getting responses on social media that I'm a 'Zionist pig,' that I support an apartheid state.

"First of all, I grew up thinking that Zionism isn't a stream in Judaism, but that Israel is the Jewish state, and I'd never heard the word 'apartheid' in my life, certainly not in the context of Israel. So I understood something was happening, and the need to explain what was happening just burned in me."

Did you pay a price for showing support for Israel?

"I have 3 million followers on Instagram and another half million followers on TikTok, and they stayed with me, because they were my asset from before. But then the phone calls started coming about cancellations from companies I worked with.

"For example, I had a contract with Puma, and I was at a stage in my career where everything was taking off – and here, in one moment, everything collapsed and disappeared. In a sense, that very day when everything disappeared from me was the beginning of the two best years I've had in my career in terms of exposure and followers, and the worst I've had in my life as a Jewish girl. The two are intertwined.

"I'll give another example: I was a judge in the Miss Universe pageant. The beauty queen who represented Israel spoke to me about what was happening, and I heard in her voice that she was worried. I asked the contest managers to say something that would note what happened in Israel, to express some kind of solidarity on social media, which is the minimal thing they could do.

"They explained to me that everyone needs to feel comfortable in the contest and that it's forbidden to harm the security of the contestants, so they wouldn't raise the issue and wouldn't say anything. So I told them, 'Yes, but the Israeli contestant doesn't feel secure.' It was clear this was over between us, but I really didn't care."

Host of football events

Her meteoric rise must be understood: After completing her communications studies, Austin had already launched a popular independent interview show featuring NBA stars from her Instagram page at the age of 21. The idea had come to her during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The beautiful and audacious girl, who possessed a keen understanding of basketball, immediately attracted the attention of decision-makers on various channels. Later, she began broadcasting an interview show called "The Emily Austin Show," and all the big league stars came to her to be interviewed. She worked for Sports Illustrated, hosting football events, and appeared regularly on MTV, as well as hosting a popular basketball podcast. She also wrote for Newsweek magazine and frequently appeared as a panelist on the conservative Fox News Channel.

In the past two years, after she began expressing her opinions and worldview, Austin connected to her roots in a way she had never thought about - as an Israel advocate. She serves as a communications consultant to the Israeli delegation at the UN; changes the minds of NBA stars who call to ask her questions about the situation; became one of the leading supporters of President Trump, who thanked her for her efforts; and now she's part of the support campaign for independent candidate Andrew Cuomo in next week's New York City mayoral elections, which are stirring the Jewish world – yes, the fateful elections where the anti-Israeli Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani is leading.

Curses on mobile alongside support

This week, as she walked around the Carmel Market, Tel Avivians surrounded her with love, and even gave her yarmulkes with the portrait of the US president, so she could pass them to Trump the next time she meets him.

Now that the war in Gaza has ended, or at least been halted, how do you think your advocacy battles will look? It seems we're at the threshold of a new struggle.

"I want to throw the word 'advocacy' out of the discourse. It's over, I'm sick of it, I'm not willing to hear about it anymore. We don't need to explain anything else – the war is over. What do I need to explain, the existence of the State of Israel? If they ask me something related to Israel's existence, I'll simply answer: Just because. We're done explaining to the world that we have been a state since 1948."

How can you say such a thing when even you yourself continue to pay a price every day for your support of Israel?

"You mean every minute, not every day. Look what's happening to me on my phone, in the messages I'm getting right now."

Austin pulls out her mobile phone and shows her inbox. On one side, curses and racial and antisemitic slurs. On the other hand, support from Jews and non-Jews. Exactly half and half.

"This has been like this for two years. Those who want to talk, I talk with them and explain to them. There's a lot of ignorance in the US, and those who want to listen – I'll usually convince them to support Israel. This happened to me with basketball stars and coaches as well. When they tell me 'Israel is a racist state,' I show them photos and data of blacks or Arabs who work and live in Israel, and then they just shut up. Some actually continue to attack, and then I understand it's something basic from them against Jews, and not really related to October 7."

How secure do you feel in the US today?

"Look, as long as Donald Trump is in power, I know I can walk around with my Star of David without any problem anywhere, and even if people think what they think, they won't say anything. As long as the Republicans are in power, we can be calm, and even when Vice President JD Vance replaces Trump in the future, the situation will be the same. But what will happen after that? What future do we Jews have in the US?

"There are nights when, before I fall asleep, I think where we would be now as Jews, where the Israelis would be, if Kamala Harris had been elected president and not Trump. It's terrifying to think that she or someone like her would be president of the US. We Republicans believe in law, believe in our police and in state institutions, but with the Democrats, everything happened in reverse, especially in my generation, Gen Z."

The future indeed doesn't look bright, certainly not in the US, and particularly not in New York, where you work and operate.

"At least one prominent thing we took off the table: there's no such thing as hating Israel and saying 'but I have no problem with Jews.' That's nonsense, we understood that. They hate us, like they always hate us. I saw this already in Operation Protective Edge in 2014, when they explained to me they have no problem with me but with Israel's policy, and I still thought then that maybe there was something in what they were saying.

"In high school, I was on a trip to the extermination camps in Poland, and that was a life-changing experience for me. But it was portrayed as something from the distant past, something less relevant to my current life, as an American Jew. I felt that such things couldn't happen today, and that they were mainly related to my basic identity, rather than an existential threat to me.

"Now we're talking about a different reality. When you tell me that in your travels abroad, you change your name to another name in the travel booking app, aren't we in 1930s Berlin? That's it, we're giving up to them? We went back to being ashamed of being Jews? No way! And if we pay a price for it, then we pay. But we won't let them win."

The sketch about Yad Vashem

As mentioned, this week Austin filmed for "Eretz Nehederet," alongside Omer Zion playing Donald Trump, in a sketch showing what will happen if Mamdani, the Muslim candidate likely to win the Big Apple mayoral election, actually wins – and she'll be forced to immigrate to the Holy Land. Additionally, she's expected to appear in a new film project produced by Yoav Gross, which will focus on the Mossad's pager operation that dismantled Hezbollah a year ago. She is also expected to continue participating in important ceremonies and conferences throughout the US.

In the world we live in, and certainly in American culture, the battle for young people is waged through social media. Austin, together with many others, stands at the forefront of the struggle, even though it sometimes seems that in the flood of ignorance and lack of knowledge in American society, we're talking about a battle that will never really end. At least it led her to film for Israel's leading satire show.

Did you know "Eretz Nehederet"? Did you dream that life would lead you to participate in it?

"Since I was a child, I dreamed of participating in 'Eretz Nehederet.' My parents watched it regularly, and when I didn't understand the jokes in Hebrew, they made sure to explain them to me. Every week we would sit and watch together.

"There was one sketch I kept returning to, about Project Taglit. You see American teenagers visiting Yad Vashem, and they don't understand what Yad Vashem is – yet they sing and dance. My parents would tell me, 'Look, you'll be like them,' and laugh. I always explained to everyone around me that 'Eretz Nehederet' is Israel's 'Saturday Night Live,' but since most of the time I was the only Jew and Israeli in the environment, they didn't understand what I wanted from them.

"When Molly Segev called me and invited me to come film – I knew this was something I had to do, because I've been dreaming about it for years."

"Whoever doesn't vote – will regret it"

Let's return to seriousness for a moment: Mamdani's expected election should worry us, shouldn't it?

"Absolutely, it's very worrying. I'm working with many others, so he loses the election, but the polls show he's about to win. My generation believes that candidates who make promises without backing them up are the epitome of this. Free public transportation, freezing vegetable and fruit prices, fundamental change in police structure. New York could become Gotham City.

"I'm going crazy from one thing: how do only a million Jews in the largest Jewish city in the world come out to vote? Where are all the other millions? It's like they don't care. Only on the Democratic side are they excited about Mamdani's promises, and feel sorry for him when he tells how Muslims suffered from Islamophobia after the 9/11 attacks. You understand where we've reached? Ultimately, he's the victim in the story. But believe me, if he's elected, all the Jews who didn't vote will regret it very much. Some of them will find themselves very quickly on the plane to Israel, immigrating – and not for the right reasons."

And what about you? Are you thinking of immigrating to Israel? You eat kosher, didn't date a non-Jewish guy in college. Come on, you'll have schnitzel and beach paddles here for free.

"I'll tell you the truth: I'm American. Israel, for me, is the home of summer months, and of the best experiences I had in childhood, but I tremble with fear every time I'm here.

"I travel to places and check how far they are from the West Bank, how far they are from Gaza. Look how many enemies there are around, and if that's not enough, there are also sirens from Yemen.

"It's clear to me that I'll continue coming here even when I'm a mother, with my children. But I'm aware of the reality around me, of course. If the situation under Mamdani worsens – I won't wait like the Jews in Germany for them to come take me, I'll know to flee in time. This time, unlike the past, we have a state. In my dreams, I run for president of the US. If someone like Kamala Harris ran, there's no reason I shouldn't run."

The post The model who whispers to Trump appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Avdija fell just one rebound shy of becoming the only Portland Trail Blazers player in franchise history to surpass 20 points and five rebounds in the season's opening four games.

Deandre Ayton, who shared the court with Avdija in Portland last season, "blamed" Deni for the Lakers' defeat. "Every shot he made he just kept rubbing it in," Ayton said.

NBA reporters expressed strong admiration for the Israeli's showing. "Deni Avdija is the best deal in the NBA. What an acquisition," Portland online persona ChadinPortland wrote. "Avdija is a completely legitimate All-Star," the Bowrld account, followed by tens of thousands, declared. CuffsTheLegend posted, "I'll say it again: Deni Avdija is the most underrated player in the National Basketball Association."

Reporter David Mackay suggested that one of Portland's key decisions involves starting the Israeli while bringing Jeremy Grant off the bench. "By moving Deni Avdija into the starting five this year and shifting Jeremy Grant to the bench, Portland has positioned two players competing for NBA awards. I'd be surprised if Deni doesn't receive votes for Most Improved Player, or if Jeremy doesn't capture Sixth Man of the Year," Mackay stated.

The post Deni Avdija lights up Lakers for 25 points while ex-teammate watches in amazement appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

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.

The post From Israel to NBA: Deni Avdija's rise to stardom appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Over the past week, while the entire country has been remotely following his remarkable displays on the court, we had the exclusive opportunity to accompany Israeli sports' biggest star for several days in Portland.

This comprehensive journey, which will be fully detailed in an extensive and exclusive interview with Avdija, will be published this coming weekend in a special double issue of "Shishabbat" magazine and on the Israel Hayom website.

Beyond being 'just a basketball player'

This summer, Deni Avdija will don the Israeli national team uniform and attempt to guide the squad to success in EuroBasket. He's expected to collaborate with several leading Israeli basketball players, including Yam Madar, with whom he's previously achieved significant accomplishments in youth competitions.

Avdija maintains a particularly strong connection with national team coach Ariel Beit Halachmi, under whose guidance he won two European Championships at the Under-20 level (2018 and 2019).

"I really love Ariel, he is the leader of this team," he explains. "He gave me a chance and believed in me. He wasn't afraid of my age – it's a privilege to work with such a person."

Q: Do you understand that you are a national pride of an entire nation?

"I really don't know that. I feel like I'm just doing my job. You're embarrassing me, I don't know how to react to that, but that's the truth. I'm a human being, that's my truth.

"I'm happy that people see me beyond a basketball player, because I truly feel that I am beyond 'just a basketball player.' I love to influence people and give back to the community. I love Israel, so I'm happy that people think that way. I know my mom is proud of me, and my family and friends are proud of me, but when you tell me an entire country feels this way – it's moving to know that, honestly."

The full interview will be published over the weekend

The post 'I love Israel': Deni Avdija opens up on his NBA stardom appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Deni Avdija, the Israeli forward for the Portland Trail Blazers, delivered a commanding performance on Sunday night, further solidifying his status as a rising star in the NBA. Avdija's latest display in a 105-102 victory over the Toronto Raptors left fans, analysts, and teammates in awe, with many declaring the team belongs to him.

In the game, Avdija scored 19 points, including several clutch plays in critical moments, while adding 6 rebounds and 6 assists. His breathtaking dunk over Toronto's Orlando Robinson was a moment that electrified the crowd and sparked widespread praise. "I got everyone jumping," Avdija said post-game, reflecting on the highlight-reel slam. "I just try to play as hard as I can, that's what I do. My teammates want me to succeed, we have good chemistry."

Analysts see him as a cornerstone for Portland, with one fan page, Blazers Argento, writing on X, "We're crazy about him." The official NBA page echoed this sentiment, posting a video of his "fearless" dunk with the caption, "Deni Avdija PUNCHES IT
."

The accolades didn't stop there. Trail Blazers commentator Tom Haberstroh boldly stated, "Deni Avdija been an All-Star level," a view shared by many. Analysts from PMB broke down his contribution, noting, "A steady forward with dribbling skills who can penetrate the basket is key for teams in the modern NBA." Avdija's versatility was on full display, as he also contributed defensively, a point emphasized with game photos showing his hustle.

Deni Avdija PUNCHES IT @trailblazers come back from 16 down for the win! pic.twitter.com/MxVOzH8KEG

— NBA (@NBA) March 17, 2025

Avdija was thrilled with his milestone moment, telling the media, "This was my first poster in the league," referring to the term used to describe a forceful and overpowering dunk shot. Fan pages on X erupted, with one calling it "Avdija's most beautiful move in the NBA so far, no doubt, it was a stunning poster." The dunk, combined with his stat line, underscored his growing influence on the court and within the Trail Blazers' roster.

Portland's victory marked another chapter in Avdija's breakout season, where he's proving doubters wrong and winning over skeptics.

The post Deni Avdija's breakout night stuns Raptors and electrifies Portland appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Former NBA player Chase Budinger had a dream Olympics debut, in beach volleyball.

Budinger played seven NBA seasons with the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers, and Phoenix Suns, earning $18.4 million during his NBA career. He performed a blindfolded slam during the 2012 NBA dunk contest.

He transitioned to beach volleyball after retiring from basketball because of injuries.

Despite initial doubts, Budinger pursued his dream of competing in the Olympics and won a Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour title in China securing a spot in Paris 2024 with his partner Miles Evans and their Brazilian coach Dan Waineraich.

36-year-old, Budinger made his Olympic debut showcasing his basketball-related skills like blocks and spikes. He used his 6-foot-7 frame to dominate the net.

Together with Evans, a homegrown beach volleyball player from Santa Barbara, he defeated the top French team in straight sets..

The Americans snapped a three-match losing streak against the French team, maintaining their momentum and executing their game plan effectively for a strong start in just 32 minutes.

Budinger started playing beach volleyball as a teen, often playing at Moonlight State Beach. In 2018, he switched to playing in the Association of Volleyball Professionals League.

He is the first man to play in both the NBA and Olympic beach volleyball.

Sources: Washington Post, Axios , NBC News, USA Today, New York Post, The Straits Times, Estadão, Noticias Villaguay, Olympics, Unique News Online, Essentially Sports, Il Messaggero, Chat Sports, Noozhawk, Basketball Forever, Inquirer, One Sports, BeritaSatu, Latestly, Devdiscourse, 12 News.

This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.

The post Former NBA player Chase Budinger had a dream Olympics debut, in beach volleyball appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Lithuanian-American NBA star Domantas Sabonis is in the process of converting to Judaism, according to media reports.

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Sabonis, who plays for the Sacramento Kings, regularly studies with a rabbi online and put mezuzahs up at his home, and recited the Megillah on Purim.

"He's always asking questions. He keeps kosher, and when he's in Vilnius, he's going to the kosher butchers to get chicken," Rabbi Erez Sherman of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles, a Conservative rabbi who studies with Sabonis, said.

Sabonis' wife, who is Jewish, said of her husband, "He loves [Judaism] and really wants to be a part of it."

"We keep Passover, we keep Shabbat. We don't drive, and we do Shabbat dinner every week," she said.

The two were wed in a Reform ceremony in August 2021.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!

The post NBA star Domantas Sabonis in the process of converting to Judaism appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

After sixty games this NBA season, Deni Avdija says with confidence in an interview with Israel Hayom that "this is definitely the best season I have so far in the league." The improvement the Israeli Washington Wizards forward has shown is noticeable in the statistics, but mainly in the demeanor and confidence he exudes on the court. 

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Just before he and his teammates enter the crucial stage of the season, and ahead of the weekend face-off against the Raptors, he talked in this exclusive interview about the on-the-job improvement, the respect he gets in the locker room, and also on the Israeli national team and the possibility it gets a foreign coach. 

Q: Are you going to see yourself and the Wizards in the playoffs this season? 

"I believe we can reach the playoffs. We will have to survive the play-in, which is not going to be easy. Losing to Chicago is not the end of the world because we have another 22 games. But we need to play well, and I believe in us; we have already proved that we can create a winning streak. We need to make sure that we don't get nervous and play as we know."

Q: On a personal level, are you getting closer to your peak? 

"This has indeed been my best season in the NBA so far. I feel that I have matured; that I can rebound better after bad games and that I can better prepare myself for games, that I am more aggressive. I still have a lot more areas where I can improve, but I am happy with my progress. I feel that I am still far off from my peak, both in terms of capability and in terms of confidence. I am glad that I am on track; I do see progress."

Q: I heard you say that people give you more respect in the locker room this season. 

"They give me more respect, they listen to me more in defense and offense. When you are a rookie it's different; when I was a rookie people would not really listen to what I had to say. I feel that I have more leverage today on the staff, my input is considered and that feels great." 

Q: In this league, where numbers have such great importance, have you ever felt that you have been dragged into forced throws? 

"I have never had to truly force throws. I always try to do the right move; perhaps I need to be more aggressive. This is my style; to share the ball and help other players. When I do this I feel that I create positive momentum for the team.

"As for other players who force throws, that's just part of the league. The NBA has a clear hierarchy, and I try to be solid and aggressive; I don't want to reach those places where I force throws." 

After taking part in the disappointing Eurobasket campaign with the Israeli national team in the summer – despite excelling on a personal level during the tournament – Avdija saw his fellow players on the Israeli squad play in the World Cup qualifiers this week. 

Q: It's a weird feeling to watch them from afar, no? 

"It's not weird; it's fun to see this. It's weird that I am not there, but I was glad to see Noam Yaacov playing so well. It's fun to see that we have a future." 

Q: Can he reach the NBA? 

"I never rule out the possibility that a player makes it to the NBA. He needs to work hard and go along a long path; he is very talented. I wish him success in reaching the world's best league and that he continues this trajectory of working hard; he has a great future in store for him." 

Q: What's your opinion on having a foreign coach for Israel's national team? There have been efforts to bring Pablo Laso. 

"I don't really know the coaches that are being considered and their style. I think the best thing is that the coach is connected to the players and that they want to play under his leadership. That there will be equality and hierarchy; that the players are happy." 

Q: Would you like to play under Ariel Beit-Halahmy again? 

"I had two European championships with him, so obviously there is a bond with him that is unique. I experienced good things with him, as well as not-so-good things; I really like him. I really like his style. Some part of me really wants him, the crucial thing is that the team benefits." 

Watch the Washington Wizards take on the Toronto Raptors live on Sport5 and NBA League Pass on Saturday, March 4th at 00:00pm (midnight) as part of the NBA's 'NBA Sundays presented by NBA2K23' Primetime initiative.

Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories! 

The post 'This has been my best season in the NBA; I have matured' appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.