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The NBA All-Star Game is basketball’s midseason celebration of elite talent, but this year, it’s also a celebration for an entire country. Deni Avdija, the Portland Trail Blazers forward, has become the first Israeli ever selected to the NBA All-Star Game.
What the NBA All-Star Game Is All About
Every February, the NBA’s brightest stars gather for an annual weekend of festivities, culminating in the All-Star Game itself—a high-octane exhibition showcasing the league’s top players. Selections come from fan votes, media input, and coach decisions. While the format shifts from time to time (this year features a three-team mini-tournament), the event always spotlights the league’s most electrifying talents.
A Landmark Moment for Israel—and for Avdija
Avdija’s selection as a Western Conference reserve isn’t just a personal triumph—it’s a milestone for Israeli basketball. Raised on Kibbutz Beit Zera and originally a standout with Maccabi Tel Aviv, the 25-year-old is now officially among the NBA elite.
His All-Star nod came via coaches’ selection, with a fifth-place finish in Western Conference fan voting (2.2 million votes), beating out heavyweights like LeBron James and Kevin Durant. It’s no fluke: Avdija’s putting up career-best numbers—25.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game on strong shooting splits.
He’s one of only three NBA players hitting those statistical marks this season, alongside Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic.
Staying Grounded While Making History
After hearing the news, Avdija remained humble and introspective.
“I started playing basketball without a dream,” he said. “It’s hard to believe that you just accomplish thing after thing after thing.”
His coach in Portland, Tiago Splitter, summed it up simply: “When you see a person like that succeeding, it’s truly special.”
Avdija has racked up three triple-doubles so far this season and consistently hit the 20-point mark in games, helping carry a struggling Portland team through rough stretches. Still, he’s quick to credit the collective:
“I couldn’t do it without my teammates. It’s a team sport at the end of the day.”
A Rising Star with Deeper Roots
Avdija entered the NBA as the 9th overall pick in the 2020 Draft, taken by the Washington Wizards. After some early inconsistency, a trade to Portland two seasons ago helped unlock his full potential.
He’s become not just a fan favorite, but a symbol of resilience and pride for Israelis worldwide—especially at a time of political tension and global division.
“I just want to be respected as a basketball player,” he told The Athletic. “Why does it matter if I’m from Israel, or wherever in the world, or what my race is?”
Fellow Players Show Love
Praise poured in from across the basketball world. Luka Doncic called the selection “well deserved.” Carmelo Anthony said Avdija is “the reason we keep talking about Portland,” while Omri Casspi, the first Israeli to play in the NBA, sent congratulations: “Enjoy every moment on this stage.”
Even former youth coaches back in Israel have joined the chorus, calling him the most successful Israeli athlete of all time.
New All-Star Format, Familiar Spotlight
This year’s All-Star Game, set for February 15 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, debuts a revamped format: three teams, round-robin style, with the top two squads facing off in a final showdown. Avdija is expected to suit up with the international squad, joining Jokic, Doncic, Victor Wembanyama, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
It’s a far cry from his early days on a kibbutz basketball court—but for one night, Avdija will stand shoulder to shoulder with the NBA’s finest, carrying a nation with him onto the hardwood.
