Avdija, inspired Israel not surprised with wins, thanks to lion mentality and a plush bunny

PODGORICA (FIBA U16 European Championship 2017) - Coming into the FIBA U16 European Championship 2017, very few would have anticipated that Israel would be perfect at 2-0 with their first two games against Croatia and Serbia. But an inspired bunch of Israelis in Podgorica are not surprised with the victories thanks to the mentality of a lion and a lucky plush bunny.

Israel have spent just one summer at the U16 Division A in the last six years, having returned from Division B from last summer. That hasn't stopped Israel from coming out in great fashion in Podgorica with wins over Croatia and Serbia.

The grit, determination and team unity remind one of the Israeli team that reached the Final of the FIBA U20 European Championship 2017 earlier this summer. That shouldn't be a surprise since that team serves as an inspiration to the Israeli U16 group in Montenegro.

"We were very proud of them. They are a strong team too. You know that if Israelis play together we come away with wins," said Deni Avdija, who is second on the team in scoring with 16.5 points while leading Israel with 12.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.0 blocks to go with a second-best 2.0 steals.

"I was not surprised (by them making the U20 Final) because I saw from the beginning that every player was fighting. And when it came to the Final I was just hoping they would win but they didn't."

While many observers may have been surprised that Israel beat both Croatia and Serbia at the start of FIBA U16 European Championship 2017 Group A play, Avdija is not.

"No, we're not surprised because we knew that if we bring 100 percent from every player in this team that we could beat every team," said the Maccabi Tel Aviv talent.

Avdija added that it's the tightness within the group which makes Israel so tough.

"The chemistry is so strong. We are in the hotel together, almost no phones. We don't play on our phones alone, we talk, we joke, we eat together."

And then the mindset on the court is another one, according to Avdija.

"We come to the court like lions. And in the cage there are many animals, and you need to be the lion. You need to be the king of the cage," said Avdija, whose father is former Yugoslavia international Zufer Avdija.

Deni says he is honored to carry Avdija on the back of his jersey.

"I'm very proud to wear this name and represent it good," said the younger Avdija, whose father played professionally in Israel after starring at Red Star and then stayed there afterwards with the family he started. "I'm proud of him, and he has taught me basketball all my life."

Avdija may not be surprised that Israel started the FIBA U16 European Championship 2017 with wins over Croatia and Serbia. But the 6ft 6in (1.98m) small forward knows the team is just at the beginning of a long journey.

"It's a long, long, long, long tournament, but I think we are a strong team. Every guy on this team brings 100 percent. When everybody brings 100 percent, you're going to win," Avdija said. "We don't know what's going to happen. We hope we can stay in Division A. But things happen, surprises happen. And we will live with it."

The Israeli team is also living in Podgorica with a plush bunny, which was present at the headshot photo session the day before the tournament.

"Somebody on the team dreamt that the bunny was playing in the game and we won the Final. So I said I would bring it to the tournament," added Omar Watad, the apparent owner of the plush bunny.

The inspired heart of a lion with a plush bunny as a lucky charm? Sure, why not? The Israeli ride has been just as unexpected thus far.

FIBA