Even though the distinction of first Israeli player to ever play in an NBA game is held by Omri Casspi, it is possible that at the end of his career, Deni Avdija will be the best player to come out of the country. He is still extremely young, and at 21 years old, still has a lot of development to do to get to the highest level. However, he was alluring as a prospect because of his well-rounded skill set, and his ability to be a legitimate playmaker as a 6’9″ small forward. While the Washington Wizards have yet to unleash him as a playmaker, that ability can still be displayed as Avdija’s career unfolds. He was one of only five players in the league to appear in all 82 games during the 2021-2022 campaign.
Deni Avdija – Growing Up
Deni Avdija was born on January 3, 2001, in Beit Zera, Israel. Deni spent his formative years growing up in Israel, but his father Zufi, originally from the former Yugoslavia, has had a huge impact on his life. Zufi was a basketball star in his home country, during the early part of the 1990s when war was raging. He would move to Israel to play professional basketball and met Deni’s mother Sharon during that time.
Not surprisingly, Deni Avdija would end up gravitating towards basketball, after playing soccer for some time as a child. Zufi Avdija would work with his son when he was young to teach him skills that he would go on to use later in life. When Deni was about to enter his teenage years, he took a step back from his son’s development, realizing that he might be in better hands with someone else on a more permanent basis. He would develop a relationship with Veljko Perovic, who would become an assistant for the popular Maccabi Tel-Aviv basketball team. Perovic would adjust his own schedule and life to work with the promising Avdija.
However, as a kid, Avdija didn’t always understand some of the methods Perovic used to train him. For months, the coach wouldn’t let Avdija even touch a basketball, which seemed counterintuitive. Perovic was more interested in training Avdija’s body athletically, to improve his balance and core strength. This would end up being beneficial, as when the Beit Zera pre-teen got taller, he already had the flexibility and footwork that could support his growing frame.
Deni Avdija – Pre-NBA Life
Deni Avdija’s skills on the court were noticed from an early age in Israel, and he would be put in the best position to succeed from a young age. Many of the top clubs in the EuroLeague have development programs for younger players, who might one day join the senior team and contribute. Maccabi Tel-Aviv was no different, and Avdija joined their youth program as a teen. Because of Perovic’s desire to make things convenient for Avdija and relocate to his hometown, the player did not need to leave home. This was a big deal for Avdija, as he loved his parents and extended family, and did not want to be far apart from them.
He would end up making a name for himself during international competitions. Because of his mixed heritage, Avdija would have the option of playing for either the Serbian under 16 and under 18 national team, or the Israeli one, but once he made his choice, he could not switch back. He played for the country in which he spent his entire life, and would dazzle during tournaments against the best young players in the world. The Israeli team actually squared off against Serbia at one point, and Avdija had a big game to secure the upset win for Israel.
He would rack up a bunch of accolades, such as gold medal victories on behalf of Israel during the European under 20 championships in 2018 and 2019. At the under 16 European championships, he led the tournament in rebounds per game and assists per game. Avdija would be a star in seven games in the Munich and Vitoria Gasteiz Finals as well, averaging over 24 points per game, with nearly 10 rebounds and six assists per game. He would also record nearly three steals a night. He would be named to all-tournament team honors on multiple occasions as well.
His talent was too good to keep off of the floor, so the Maccabi Tel Aviv senior team decided to promote him. Avdija became the youngest player to ever play in a game for the senior team, suiting up when he was just 16 years old. His statistics for the senior team over 34 games were not exactly going to stop anyone in their tracks, because the team used him as a complimentary piece of their rotation. However, the skill level he demonstrated, and the potential he had going forward continued to point toward a bright basketball future.
Deni Avdija – Washington Wizards
Heading into the 2020 NBA Draft, Deni Avdija was a bit of a mystery man, but there were many people excited about his talent. He was likened to Luka Doncic, who also made his professional debut at a young age in Europe, and had a lot of experience playing against grown men. Avdija was quick to quiet those comparisons, stating that Doncic was a very special player and that he still had a lot of work to do himself.
He was always predicted to go in the top 10, and he ended up being drafted by the Washington Wizards with the ninth overall selection. The team was extremely happy that he fell to them, as they had their eye on the Israeli swingman for quite some time. The Wizards liked the pedigree that Avdija had since his father played basketball at a high level, and were enamored with the work ethic he brought to the table.
Avdija would have a very interesting rookie year. Head coach Scott Brooks could clearly see the talent the Israeli player brought to the floor, and ended up starting him in 32 games. He played mostly off the ball, as playmaking duties were entrusted to veterans Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook. Brooks and Westbrook were very familiar with each other from their days with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Unfortunately, his first season in the NBA was cut short, as he suffered a concerning leg injury in April 2021. He had a hairline fracture of his fibula, and this ailment prevented him from playing down the stretch of the season and in Washington’s first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers.
With a different type of team around him in 2021-2022, Avdija would have more of a chance to work on his skill set and contribute in multiple areas. The Wizards had traded Westbrook before the season, which allowed the ball to move more freely. Although Washington was not as competitive last season, Avdija played in every contest proving his health, and his ability to make playoffs. His assist numbers would rise from year one to year two.
Deni Avdija – NBA Future
Deni Avdija’s NBA future could go in a few different directions, and a lot of it will depend on what direction the Wizards want to go in as a franchise. They could decide to continue to prioritize player development and give their many young players a chance to flourish. Or they could try to make a play for more established veterans while trying to maximize the prime of Bradley Beal’s career.
Deni Avdija is still on his rookie contract, which is slated for him to earn nearly $5 million next season. His current contract also has a team option for the 2023-2024 campaign at over $6 million. It is not a large-cap figure, but Washington will still have a decision to make about Avdija’s contract relatively soon. He will be a restricted free agent in the 2024-2025 season and will have had an ample opportunity by that time to develop into the player he hopes to become. For an NBA player, Deni Avdija’s net worth is not that high, but he has the chance to secure a lucrative extension with a strong third season in Washington.
Basketball reference projects Deni Avdija to take a step up next year, with anticipated averages of over 12 points per game, nearly three assists per contest, and between seven rebounds and eight rebounds a game.
