Deni Avdija, born on January 3, 2001, in Beit Zera, Israel, is a professional basketball player who plays as a small forward for the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA. Standing 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 210 pounds, he was selected by the Washington Wizards with the ninth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Avdija began his professional career with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel, debuting for their senior team in 2017 at age 16. He earned the Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP award in 2020 and led the team to three consecutive championships from 2018 to 2020.
In July 2024, Avdija was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. Since joining Portland, he has experienced a significant surge in performance. In March 2025, he scored at least 30 points in four games, including a career-high 43-point game against the New Orleans Pelicans on February 14.
Over nine games that month, he averaged 23.7 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game, shooting 52.8% from the field and 50% from three-point range.
Avdija’s recent performances have been instrumental in the Trail Blazers’ pursuit of a play-in spot in the Western Conference. His versatility and scoring ability have been widely praised, with head coach Chauncey Billups noting that the team’s fast-paced style suits Avdija’s strengths.
For a highlight of Avdija’s recent performance, you can watch the following video: