Herzog meets Israeli NBA star Deni Avdija: ‘You’re an inspiration’

President Isaac Herzog meets with Israeli NBA player Deni Avdija in Jerusalem and congratulates him on his impressive season with the Washington Wizards.

“You’re a huge inspiration — I know that being young and popular is not an easy thing,” Herzog tells Avdija. “You’re a major source of pride, in both your personal behavior as well as the love of Israel that you have.”

A few weeks ago, during a game against the Orlando Magic, Avdija wrote “Am Yisrael Chai” (“The Jewish people live”) and drew Stars of David on his sneakers amid a series of terror attacks in Israel.

Avdija gifts Herzog with a jersey bearing his name “as a sign of appreciation for hosting me.” According to Herzog’s office, Avdija says he “feels the love of fans in Israel and around the world and I appreciate it a lot.”