History of Deni Avdija in Timeline

Deni Avdija is an Israeli professional basketball player currently playing for the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA. He is a small forward known for his energetic and aggressive style of play, earning him the nickname "Turbo".

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1982: Zufer Avdija Wins Bronze

In 1982, Zufer Avdija, Deni Avdija's father, won the bronze medal at the FIBA World Championship representing the Yugoslavian national team.

January 2001: Deni Avdija Born

In January 2001, Deni Avdija was born. He is an Israeli professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Others born on this day/year

2013: Joined Maccabi Tel Aviv

In 2013, Deni Avdija joined Maccabi Tel Aviv to play basketball as a youth player, excelling in the sport.

2013: Joined Youth Ranks of Maccabi Tel Aviv

In 2013, Deni Avdija joined the youth ranks of Maccabi Tel Aviv, marking a step in his basketball development.

November 2017: Signed with Maccabi Tel Aviv

On 5 November 2017, Deni Avdija started his professional career with Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv, signing a six-year deal with the club.

2017: Led Maccabi Tel Aviv to Israeli Youth State Championships

From 2017, Deni Avdija led Maccabi Tel Aviv to three consecutive Israeli youth state championships by 2019.

2017: Competed at FIBA U16 European Championship

In 2017, Deni Avdija competed for Israel at the FIBA U16 European Championship in Podgorica, leading the tournament with 12.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game, and scoring 15.3 points per game.

2017: Senior Team Debut

In 2017, at the age of 16, Deni Avdija debuted for Maccabi Tel Aviv's senior team, becoming the youngest player in the club's history.

April 2018: Albert Schweitzer Tournament

In April 2018, Deni Avdija averaged over 17 points and nine rebounds for Israel at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament, an under-18 competition in Mannheim.

July 2018: FIBA U20 European Championship Gold Medal

In July 2018, Deni Avdija played at the FIBA U20 European Championship in Chemnitz, leading Israel to a gold medal. He earned a spot on the all-tournament team.

August 2018: Basketball Without Borders Europe

In August 2018, Deni Avdija participated in Basketball Without Borders Europe in Belgrade, where he was named the camp MVP.

November 2018: EuroLeague Debut

On 22 November 2018, Deni Avdija made his EuroLeague debut at the age of 17, in a 74–70 loss to Fenerbahçe, scoring two points in three minutes of playing time.

January 2019: Adidas Next Generation Tournament

In January 2019, Deni Avdija played for Maccabi Tel Aviv's U18 team at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament (ANGT) in Munich and was selected to the all-tournament team.

February 2019: NBA All-Star Weekend

In February 2019, at the NBA All-Star Weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina, Deni Avdija was named MVP of the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp.

February 2019: Debut for Israeli Senior National Team

On 21 February 2019, Deni Avdija made his debut for the Israeli senior national team in an 81–77 win over Germany during the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualification stage.

July 2019: Led Israel to Gold and Named MVP

In July 2019, Deni Avdija led Israel to a second straight gold medal at the FIBA U20 European Championship in Tel Aviv. He averaged 18.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.4 blocks, and 2.1 steals per game, earning MVP and all-tournament team accolades.

October 2019: First EuroLeague Start

On 24 October 2019, at the age of 18, Deni Avdija made his first start in the EuroLeague, recording six points and three rebounds in a 76–63 victory over Valencia.

2019: Led Maccabi Tel Aviv to Israeli Youth State Championships

In 2019, Deni Avdija led Maccabi Tel Aviv to three consecutive Israeli youth state championships from 2017.

2019: FIBA U20 European Championship

In 2019, Deni Avdija won a gold medal for Israel at the FIBA U20 European Championship, where he was named the tournament's most valuable player.

January 2020: Israeli Player of the Month

On 31 January 2020, Deni Avdija was named Israeli Player of the Month in the Israeli Basketball Premier League. Earlier in January 2020, on the 11th, he recorded a then career-high of 22 points in a 94–83 win over Hapoel Holon.

February 2020: Victory Over Romania

On 24 February 2020, Deni Avdija recorded 21 points and eight rebounds in 24 minutes in an 87–63 victory over Romania during the EuroBasket 2021 qualifiers.

April 2020: Drafted into the IDF

In April 2020, Deni Avdija was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for a short service, while the basketball season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

July 2020: EuroLeague Magic Moment of the Season

In July 2020, Deni Avdija's dunk over Luigi Datome was named EuroLeague Magic Moment of the Season. He had declared for the 2020 NBA draft on April 16th.

December 2020: Signed Rookie Contract with Wizards

In December 2020, Deni Avdija signed a rookie contract with the Washington Wizards after being drafted as the ninth overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft.

2020: Declared for NBA Draft

In 2020, Deni Avdija declared for the NBA draft and was drafted by the Washington Wizards with the 9th overall pick.

January 2021: Career-High 20 Points

On 9 January 2021, Deni Avdija recorded a then-career-high 20 points, along with five three-pointers, five rebounds, five assists, and two steals in a 128–124 loss to the Miami Heat.

2021: Played all 82 games

During the 2021 season, Deni Avdija played all 82 games while averaging 8.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.

2021: EuroBasket Qualifiers

In February 2020, Deni Avdija contributed to an 87-63 victory over Romania during the EuroBasket 2021 qualifiers.

February 2022: Career High Rebounds

On 14 February 2022, Deni Avdija set a then career high in rebounds with 15 in a 103–94 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

2022: Am Yisrael Chai

In 2022, after a series of terrorist attacks in Israel, Deni Avdija wrote the Jewish solidarity phrase "Am Yisrael Chai" in Hebrew on his shoes.

January 2023: New Career High in Rebounds and Points

In January 2023, Deni Avdija achieved two career milestones. On the 11th, he set a new career high in rebounds with 20 in a 100–97 win against the Chicago Bulls, and on the 30th, he set a then career high in points with 25 in a 127–109 win against the San Antonio Spurs.

October 2023: Contract Extension with Wizards

On 22 October 2023, Deni Avdija and the Washington Wizards agreed to a 4-year, $55 million contract extension.

2023: Career Highs Across Statistical Categories

In the 2023 season, Deni Avdija achieved career highs across every major statistical category, posting averages of 14.7 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game, 3.8 assists per game, 51% field goal percentage, 37% three-point shooting percentage, and 3.6 free throw attempts per game.

February 2024: New Career High in Points

On 14 February 2024, Deni Avdija posted a new career high in points with 43, along with 15 rebounds, in a 133–126 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

July 2024: Traded to Portland Trail Blazers

On 6 July 2024, Deni Avdija was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Bub Carrington, Malcolm Brogdon, and several draft selections.

2024: Sat Out Game for Yom Kippur

In 2024, Avdija, who is Jewish, sat out his first preseason game with the Trail Blazers to observe the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.

March 2, 2025: First Triple-Double

On March 2, 2025, Avdija recorded his first triple-double against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

March 2025: Most Productive Month

In March 2025, Avdija averaged 23.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists over 13 games, shooting 51.0% on field goals and 45.7% on three-point attempts, marking his most productive month and gaining league-wide attention.

April 2, 2025: Second Triple-Double

On April 2, 2025, Avdija recorded his second triple-double in a game against the Atlanta Hawks, scoring 32 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in 38 minutes of playing time.