From the Liveblog of
Monday, February 2, 2026
Making history, Deni Avdija becomes first Israeli selected for NBA All-Star Game
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
Deni Avdija, the star forward for the National Basketball Association’s Portland Trail Blazers, has become the first-ever Israeli selected to play in the NBA All-Star Game.
Avdija is among the seven Western Conference players selected as reserves in the game, which will be held in Los Angeles on February 12. Twelve players were selected from each conference — five starters and seven reserves.
The achievement, along with making Israeli history, is one more accolade for Avdija during a breakout season, in which he’s averaging over 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists per game. This is his sixth season in the league.
On the Western Conference All-Star team, Avdija will be playing alongside stars including Stephen Curry, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Dončić, Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokić, Kevin Durant and LeBron James.
Making his 1st NBA All-Star appearance… Deni Avdija of the @trailblazers.
Drafted as the 9th pick in 2020 out of Israel, Avdija is averaging 25.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG and 6.7 APG for the Trail Blazers this season. pic.twitter.com/qPqx6MDEQ3
— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) February 1, 2026
The Times of Israel Community.