By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A slow start to the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season probably costed the Portland Trail Blazers a berth in the 2025 Playoffs presented by Google. However, Deni Avdija is excited about the next season.
“The future is super bright. I love playing with this team. We’re young. We’re exciting. We have a lot of talent,” the 24-year-old Israeli forward mentioned in an end-of-season press conference on Sunday.
“At the end of the day, I’m a human being. Coming from a whole different team, getting traded here after DC being my home for four years. All the new players. It’s hard to adjust, especially on the court but also off the court, building chemistry. They got to know your game. What you’d like to do on the court,” he described early-season struggles, “I feel like it’s tough. It’s built with time and I needed that time to kind of fit in. But once I did, everybody welcomed me with open hands and I didn’t look back.”
Due to a right thumb sprain, Avdija finished the season on the injury list. Over 72 previous appearances, including 54 starts, he averaged 16.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.5 blocks per contest.
Before focusing on the 2025-26 journey with the Blazers and starting the next challenge alongside head coach Chauncey Billups, he is set to represent Israel in the EuroBasket 2025.
“It’s very important for me to represent Israel,” he stressed, “I really like playing with the national team and I think it will prepare me well for the next season, both in terms of fitness and leadership. I am excited to play with my friends. It’s something very hard for me to give up.”
In the preliminary round of EuroBasket, Israel will compete in Group D, facing Iceland, Poland, France, Belgium, and Slovenia in Katowice between August 28 and September 4. Ranking first through fourth would clinch a berth in the ensuing knockout stage, scheduled to be played in Riga between September 6 and 14.