9 Surprising Facts About Deni Avdija, the NBA’s Israeli Rising Star
Deni Avdija is making a name for himself in the NBA and connecting cross-culture basketball worlds in the process. He was born in Israel and is now making plays in Portland. His path to the league is anything but typical. He’s already earned MVP honors overseas and notched a headline-making triple-double in the league. One thing’s clear—his story is just getting started.
This is a story worth following.
Already on a Professional Track
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Most kids shoot hoops in driveways. Deni was practicing inside one of Europe’s top basketball academies before finishing middle school. At age 12, he joined Maccabi Tel Aviv’s elite youth program, which is home to EuroLeague legends, while still balancing school and early morning workouts.
The Professional Debut
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Sixteen-year-olds are usually not guarding grown men in a packed arena. Deni debuted for Maccabi Tel Aviv’s senior team at just 16 years and 320 days old, even before he got his driver’s license. That night, he became the youngest player to ever appear for the club’s top squad.
Holds Two Passports
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Deni carries dual citizenship, thanks to his Israeli mother and Serbian father. This mix gives him access to two rich basketball cultures. Serbia breeds basketball tacticians, while Israel emphasizes team-first systems. His game combines both, which makes him adaptable to different leagues and coaching styles.
Family Is Built Like an Olympic Village
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Deni didn’t need a personal trainer because he had elite athletes at home. His father played professionally in Yugoslavia and for Israel’s national team. His mother won national medals in track and field. That background gave him both natural ability and competitive drive from the start.
NBA Scouts Saw Him Dominate Globally
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During the 2019 Basketball Without Borders Global Camp, held during NBA All-Star Weekend, Deni faced off against top international talent. He participated and owned the floor. He walked away as MVP and caught the eyes of several NBA front offices during the process.
League History as Israel’s Youngest MVP
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In 2020, Deni became the Israeli Basketball Premier League’s MVP at just 19 years old and led Maccabi Tel Aviv to a national title. No one that young had ever won the award. His all-around game carried the team in clutch moments.
Israeli Basketball on the Global Stage
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The 2020 NBA Draft wasn’t just a personal milestone. When Washington selected Deni ninth overall, he became the highest-drafted Israeli player in NBA history. That moment drew attention across sports networks in both the U.S. and Israel. He became a national headline overnight.
Started His Very First NBA Game
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Most rookies spend their first night watching, but Deni had already started. On December 23, 2020, against the Philadelphia 76ers, he opened as a starter for the Wizards. The trust from the coaching staff, even in his debut, proved how much potential they saw in his skill set.
43-Point Game Proved He Could Take Over Completely
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Valentine’s Day 2024 wasn’t sweet for the Pelicans. Deni exploded for a career-high 43 points. He shot efficiently, scored from all over the floor, and carried the offense. That game revealed confidence and the ability to dominate when it mattered.
Triple-Double at Just 24
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On March 2, 2025, Deni delivered a complete performance: 30 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists against the Cavaliers. Not many forwards in the NBA can create offense like that while also crashing the glass. That triple-double turned him into a reliable focal point for Portland.
$55 Million Contract Locked Him In
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In October 2023, the Wizards re-signed him as they invested in a four-year, $55 million extension. This confirmed that Deni was part of the team’s vision. That deal also showed his steady rise from a raw rookie to a dependable two-way contributor.
Fresh Canvas to Create On
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Washington traded Deni to the Trail Blazers in June 2024 for Malcolm Brogdon and draft picks. The Blazers needed versatility and defense, and Deni brought all three. The move gave him a bigger role, more touches, and a fan base eager to accept his style.
Dominated Youth International Play and Brought Home Gold
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Deni led Israel to back-to-back gold medals at the FIBA U20 European Championships in 2018 and 2019. He earned MVP honors in the 2019 tournament. Those wins boosted Israel’s international basketball profile and proved Deni could lead under pressure.
Served in the Israeli Army While Training
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Military service is mandatory in Israel, even for rising sports stars. In 2020, Deni joined the Israel Defense Forces for a shortened athletic service. He trained for the draft while fulfilling national duties. That chapter taught him responsibility and discipline beyond basketball.
Role of Spongebob and a Controller
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Deni picked up English by watching Nickelodeon and playing online video games. That unusual method gave him a head start in NBA locker rooms. His ability to speak comfortably with teammates helped him adjust quickly to life in the United States.