The only Israeli player currently in the NBA, Deni Avdija has just extended for four years, and 55 million dollars, to Washington. But the Wizards winger is too touched and disturbed by the events currently affecting his country to enjoy this great contract.
“ Although I am happy with my contractual situation, we face a lot of very complicated situations at home… », he recognizes, in the columns of The Athletic. “ I watch the news every day. I pray for my people. I check that everything is going well with my friends. This is a situation… It must be put an end to. It’s really hard for me, my mind is there sometimes. But I have to remain professional, I have to do my job and, when I get the chance to stand with my country, I will do it. »
For almost three weeks, international news has been shaken by the war between Israel and Hamas. The number of deaths continues to increase and, several thousand kilometers away, Deni Avdija helplessly watches the escalation of violence in his country.
“ I have built a real shell over the years. This is not the first time that I have encountered delicate situations. I have friends fighting in the military right now, so I’m praying for them, but it’s hard, honestly. There are truly more important things than basketball in life and I have the feeling that here, we don’t have the opportunity to see that. However, I am grateful to be where I am now and I will do everything for my country. Like I said, there are more important things [que le basket] and, when you have to do your job, you only focus on that », Reveals the 9th choice of the 2020 Draft.
Justifying the Wizards’ investment
Sportingly, Deni Avdija will have to perform and why not achieve the best season of his young career, at the dawn of his fourth year in the league. History of showing the new leaders Wizards that they were right to offer him a contract extension, one year from the end of it.
“ It was a big moment for me “, declares the 22-year-old player, regarding this re-signing. “ They haven’t known me for long, but I have the feeling that from the moment I met them, they appreciated me as a player and as a man. They’re trying to build a really good culture here. So to be one of their first signings is a big moment, it means a lot. I wanted to stay in Washington because I feel like it’s my home. I love the fans, the city and I know we can accomplish great things in the future. »
On the wing, Deni Avdija will notably have to deal with competition from Kyle Kuzma and French rookie Bilal Coulibaly, who has been quite impressive since the start of the preseason. A headache in perspective for the coach of the capital franchise?
“ It’s an advantage for us to have all this versatility, this size “, book Wes Unseld Jr. “ We haven’t gotten a big look at these three together on the floor, but it could be great for us. It helps secure the defensive rebound, it gives us more size on defense. I think the combination of these three could be impactful for us. »
| Deni Avdija | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | W.A.S. | 54 | 23 | 41.7 | 31.5 | 64.4 | 0.4 | 4.4 | 4.9 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 6.3 |
| 2021-22 | W.A.S. | 82 | 24 | 43.2 | 31.7 | 75.7 | 0.6 | 4.6 | 5.2 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 8.4 |
| 2022-23 | W.A.S. | 76 | 27 | 43.7 | 29.7 | 73.9 | 1.0 | 5.4 | 6.4 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 9.2 |
| Total | 212 | 25 | 43.1 | 31.0 | 73.4 | 0.7 | 4.8 | 5.5 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 8.1 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
