By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The challenge for Deni Avdija, preceding the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season, is leading the senior national team of Israel to success in the EuroBasket 2025.
On Sunday, the 24-year-old forward of the Portland Trail Blazers talked about the upcoming international tournament being his sole focus.
“I am not currently thinking about the NBA. Playing for the national team of Israel is the most important honor for any player,” he said in a press conference, “Joining players I grew up with from the junior national teams is exciting. We have an amazing squad here, capable of great things. I will do everything possible to make this team successful.”
The team guided by Ariel Beit-Halahmy, a former head coach of Avdija during a brilliant run with the U20 national team, is in Group D of the preliminary round. Facing Iceland, Poland, France, Belgium, and Slovenia between August 28 and September 4 in Katowice will decide whether it can rank among the top four seeds and advance to the knockout stage of the EuroBasket in Riga.
“I am aiming for the top. I have always aimed for the top,” pointed out Avdija, “We have a lot of talent on the roster, a great coaching staff, and an excellent head coach. I do not see any reason not to advance to the later stages.”
In the EuroBasket 2022, the Beit Zera native debuted in a major international tournament, averaging 14.6 points per contest. Gathering additional experience over the past years, he will surely top the list of defensive assignments for the opponents this summer.
“I can say I am aware of how opponents will face me,” he mentioned, “I will do everything to help my team and keep the ball moving. I am equal to any other player, even though I play in the NBA. The goal is to win and bring pride.”
He also went into the rookies of the Brooklyn Nets, Danny Wolf and Ben Saraf, projected future stars of the Israeli national team.
“It was fun to watch them play, have fun together, talk,” he discussed meeting them during the NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas, “I am happy to see the next generation in the best league in the world. I believe it will grow over the next years.”