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Washington Wizards

Fan Lavi Kirel waves an Israeli flag as basketball player Deni Avdija takes a free throw during a March 3 game in Philadelphia. (Jon Marks/Times of Israel)
March 11, 2025, 4:09 am
No longer riding pine, Deni Avdija blazes trail of pride for Israel across the NBA
Overcoming a slow start after arriving in Portland, the fifth-year forward is inspiring overt support for the Jewish state while putting up the best numbers of his career
By Jon Marks
Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija (8) drives to the basket past Chicago Bulls forward Torrey Craig (13) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Washington, April 12, 2024. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)
June 27, 2024, 1:08 pm
NBA’s Wizards trade Israeli native Deni Avdija to Portland, in surprise move
Basketball star swapped for Trail Blazers guard Malcolm Brogdon, as new senior team adviser reportedly decides to end his contract several years early
By ToI Staff
Illustrative: Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) defends Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija (9) as Avdija drives toward the Wizards basket during the second quarter of a preseason NBA basketball game, December 13, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
November 5, 2022, 8:32 am
‘Need to be consequences’: Israeli Deni Avdija backs suspension of Kyrie Irving
Jewish forward says not right of Brooklyn Nets star to ‘let little kids that follow’ him on social media be exposed to antisemitism
By NOAH TRISTER
Deni Avdija in action during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden in Boston, Jan. 8, 2021. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images via JTA)
April 1, 2022, 11:26 am
NBA’s Avdija draws Star of David, ‘Am Yisrael Chai’ on shoes amid terror wave
‘My heart is with Israel. Let’s hope it ends as soon as possible,’ Israeli basketball player tells reporters before game
By jacob gurvis
Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija, bottom, reacts after he was injured during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, April 21, 2021, in Washington. Also seen is Wizards center Jordan Bell (7). (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
April 23, 2021, 7:53 am
Wizards confirm Deni Avdija suffered hairline fracture, ending his rookie season
Washington basketball franchise says Israeli player won’t need surgery for broken leg, is expected to make a full recovery in 3 months
By AP
Deni Avdija #9 of the Washington Wizards reacts after an apparent injury during the first half against the Golden State Warriors at Capital One Arena on April 21, 2021 in Washington, DC (Will Newton / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
April 22, 2021, 5:02 am
Wizards rookie Deni Avdija reportedly out for season with hairline fracture
Israeli taken off court in a wheelchair; posts message to fans thanking them for their support, vowing to come back ‘stronger than ever’
By Jacob Magid and AP
"Yizkor" is seen written on Washington Wizards player Deni Avdija's shoe, for Israel's Holocaust Remembrance Day, April 7, 2021. (Screen capture: Twitter)
April 8, 2021, 10:18 pm
Deni Avdija writes ‘remember’ in Hebrew on shoes to commemorate Holocaust
During Washington Wizards game, Israeli basketball player sports sneakers with message to mark his native country’s remembrance day
By JTA and ToI Staff
Deni Avdija #9 of the Washington Wizards dribbles downcourt during the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 08, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images via JTA)
March 5, 2021, 2:18 am
Israeli Deni Avdija named to NBA’s Rising Stars team
20-year-old Washington Wizards player had an up-and-down rookie season, in part because of contracting COVID-19
By Rob Charry
Screencapture from video of Israeli singer Kobi Aflalo. (YouTube)
March 4, 2021, 12:13 pm
DC Wizards to hold Jewish heritage night featuring Israeli singer
Kobi Aflalo to kick off NBA game against LA Clippers by singing US national anthem; event will be live-streamed, featuring fun facts about Jews during timeouts
By ToI Staff
Deni Avdija dribbles downcourt during a game against the Boston Celtics, at TD Garden in Boston, January 8, 2021. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images via JTA)
February 3, 2021, 12:09 am
Washington Wizards launch Hebrew Instagram page
NBA team aims move at fans of Israeli player Deni Avdija, also plans ‘Wizraeli’ Hebrew-language podcast to build interest in the game in Israel
By Gabe Friedman
Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija (9) dives for the ball next to Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Jan. 1, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)
January 2, 2021, 8:07 am
Wizards, with Israel’s Avdija, beat Minnesota Timberwolves for 1st win of season
No. 9 overall draft pick has season-high 11 points and added seven rebounds, three assists, three steals; coach Scott Brooks: ‘Deni took another step in a young career’
By brian hall
Deni Avdija, number 9, makes his NBA debut with the Washington Wizards, December 23, 2020, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
December 24, 2020, 2:06 pm
‘Dream come true’ as Israeli Deni Avdija makes NBA debut with Wizards
The 9th draft pick’s first game with the Washington Wizards ends in 113-107 loss to the 76ers in which he scores 7 points, pulls down 4 rebounds, and has 1 steal and 1 assist
By Jon Marks
Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija (L) drives toward during the second quarter of a preseason NBA basketball game in New York, December 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
December 14, 2020, 7:33 pm
Israeli Deni Avdija shines in NBA preseason game
In Hanukkah debut, Washington Wizards new forward hits six shots from six including three 3-pointers, scoring 15 points in just 24 minutes on court
By Gabe Friedman
Deni Avdija speaks to the media after NBA's Washington Wizards picked him in the NBA draft 2020 in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
December 12, 2020, 3:28 am
Washington Wizards launch Hebrew Twitter page for Avdija fans
Official account for NBA team will have ‘Israeli focus’ for followers of first round draft pick
By ToI Staff
Deni Avdija speaks with ESPN after he was selected by the Washington Wizards in the 2020 NBA Draft, November 18, 2020. (Screen capture: YouTube)
November 19, 2020, 5:53 pm
Washington Wizards hail pick of Israel’s Avdija in NBA draft as a ‘no brainer’
‘Hell yeah,’ basketball team’s general manager exclaims after selecting the Maccabi Tel Aviv forward, who says he’s ‘ready to get my game to the next level’
By Alexander Fulbright
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