Deni Avdija

Avdija did most of his scoring before halftime, pouring in 19 points to help Portland build a 59–42 lead at the break

Israeli star finishes third in MIP voting after breakout year despite first-round loss to San Antonio Spurs

Behind him, Neemias Queta of the Boston Celtics finished fourth, followed by Ryan Rollins of the Milwaukee Bucks and Jalen Johnson of Atlanta

LeBron James addressed Israeli fans: "If I have fans out there, I hope you're following my career. I hope to inspire people there, not just to be excellent in sports, but in life in general"

Netanyahu hailed the player’s success, saying that “every time Deni steps onto the court, our country shines with pride,” and adding that Avdija represents “much more than a star” for Israelis

Israeli forward earns All-Star nod after breakout season with Portland

“I’m proud of where I’m from,” Avdija said. “But everything else that gets dragged into it is unnecessary.”

Israeli basketball forward Deni Avdija, despite a standout season and strong fan support, was left out of the NBA All-Star starters. However, he could still be selected by coaches.

The standout performance places him ahead of NBA legends including LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and James Harden

At just 24 years old, he is quickly establishing himself as one of the most influential players in the NBA at the start of the season

In return, the Wizards will receive guard Malcolm Brogdon, the 14th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, a 2029 first-round pick, and two future second-round picks, according to multiple reports

The Washington Wizards' forward showcased a handwritten message on his footwear dedicated to Amedi

The Sacramento Kings big man regularly studies with a rabbi online

The 20-year-old rookie Avdija will undergo an MRI exam on Thursday but is not believed to need surgery