TEL AVIV (Israel) - Deni Avdija has finished his breakout season in the NBA and now shifts his focus to this summer's FIBA EuroBasket 2025 where the star forward hopes to lead Israel to great heights he has already accomplished at the youth level.
The 24-year-old Avdjia is excited about playing in his second EuroBasket and is anxious to improve his performance with Israel thanks to his progression into an NBA leader.
"This summer is very important. I'm excited to play with the national team - that's the most important thing. I want to go to Poland and achieve success," Avdija told the website Sports Rabbi.
Israel have been drawn into Group D in Katowice along with co-hosts Poland and their partner country Iceland, FIBA EuroBasket 2022 runners-up France, 2017 champions Slovenia and Belgium.
"We're a young and talented team that can do great things."
"The national team has had big wins in the past. I think we have good names in Israeli basketball and people in Europe recognize us," said Avdija, who returned to Israel after the conclusion of his NBA season with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Israel will be competing in their 31st EuroBasket with their only podium finish being their sensational and shocking run to the Final in 1979. Israel will be making their 15th straight appearance and their last top eight showing was seventh in 2003.
Avdija will be coming to EuroBasket this summer as a different player than he was in 2022. Back then, he was 21 years old and had just finished his second season in the NBA with Washington.
In his EuroBasket debut he averaged 14.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.2 blocks. Israel went 2-3 in Group D, even with co-hosts Czechia and finishing fifth to miss out on the Final Phase.
In Israel's two wins - 89-87 over Finland in OT and 74-67 versus Netherlands for 2-0 record - Avdija scored 22.0 points on 50 percent shooting. In the final three games - losses to Poland, Serbia and Czechia - he shot just 32 percent from the field and tallied 9.7 points.
"I've matured — I learned from the first campaign what needs to be done better and how to connect with everyone more effectively," said Avdjia.
After two more seasons with Washington, Avdija last off-season was traded to Portland, and he took off working with former NBA star and Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups.
Avdija averaged 16.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists for the season after scoring 14.7 points per game last season. Avdija recorded his first NBA triple-double - 30 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists against Cleveland - and scored 30+ points eight times, including five times in his final nine games.
"The time in the league, the confidence, and the teammates helped. It was tough to adjust at first, but I kept playing well and worked hard - that's what I did," Avdija said looking back on his fifth NBA season.
"Chauncey and I developed an amazing relationship. He was super competitive - he wants to win, I want to win, and we have a good bond. I'm glad I had my best season under him, and I want to keep going. I overcame the initial obstacle in Portland, which really boosted my confidence. I didn't start the season great, but I elevated my game. I kept working hard."
That confidence will undoubtedly help Avdija play an even bigger leadership role this summer.
"We're a young and talented team that can do great things," he said. "We have talented guys and a coach I won two European championships with."
Avdija was a major part of the most successful run of Israeli basketball on the European stage. He won back-to-back FIBA U20 EuroBasket titles in 2018 and 2019 after the country had finished second place in 2017.
Ariel Beit-Halahmy was the U20 head coach for both of those championship teams and he took over the Israeli senior national team in March 2023. So Avdija will once again work with someone who knows how to win with him on the court.
Two members of the 2017 team have already become critical leaders in the Israeli senior squad in Tamir Blatt and Yovel Zoosman. Advija teamed up with Zoosman to win the 2018 crown while star point guard Yam Madar was part of the 2019 winning squad.
Those four played together already at the EuroBasket 2022. But that quartet are not the only players from those three U20 teams who have reached the senior national team.
Roi Huber and Netanel Artzi from the 2017 squad both played in the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament 2023 Poland-Estonia, where Israel lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Semi-Finals.
The 2018 U20 European champions Gabriel Chachashvili, Yair Kravits and Noam Avivi all played in the OPQT as did 2019 champion Yotam Hanochi while Raz Adam joined Huber, Kravits and Hanochi with appearances in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers.
On top of that there are 2004-born talents Daniel Wolf and Noam Yaacov as well as 2025 NBA draft prospect Ben Saraf among the next wave of Israel youngsters - the latter helping Israel qualify for the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup for the first time.
Avdija spoke highly of Saraf, who was named Most Valuable Player of the FIBA U18 EuroBasket 2024, where Israel finished fourth to tie with with the team from 1972 for the country's best-ever showing at the junior continental stage.
"I believe that Ben Saraf will join me in the NBA. He's super talented, a magic kid. I wish him all the best and hope he makes it to the league and dominates," Avdija said.
Saraf already played in two windows in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers and he would be a major boost for Israel and their hopes this summer.
Avdija has just finished his NBA season but he already has EuroBasket on his mind.
"Coming back to Israel is always fun and exciting. I haven't been here in a while and there's a great atmosphere. It's hard to grasp that the season is over and I'm here. I feel good, I’m working very hard - every summer I wake up early and put in the work," he said.
Ready for work and a summer of great accomplishments he hopes.
FIBA