By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Fresh off his first career All-Star selection in the NBA, Deni Avdija continues to prove that his influence stretches far beyond basketball. Following a return to the floor at the Moda Center on Sunday, the 25-year-old Israeli forward of the Portland Trail Blazers opened up about the viral pregame ritual that captivated fans and teammates alike, his homage to Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo.
Avdija, who missed the previous six games of the 2025-26 Regular Season due to lower back injury management, looked sharp in Portland’s victory over the Indiana Pacers. However, it was his Siu celebration, mirrored as he ran into the pregame team huddle, that sparked the most conversation. The gesture serves as a bridge to his childhood aspirations.
“My dream was to be a soccer player. Every time I can get something from the soccer world, it’s nice,” Avdija shared during his postgame interview. “Obviously, it’s for him. I grew up watching him.”
While the 6-foot-8 forward has become a versatile cornerstone for the Blazers, his playful personality remains a fixture of the locker room. Whether he is mimicking the theatrics of WWE wrestlers or world-class strikers, the goal is always to keep the team’s energy high.
“I just did it for fun at the beginning. I didn’t know that they filmed me all the time. So, now I know,” Avdija laughed. “The inspiration is from him, for sure. It just gets the guys a little laugh and like vibe. Just doing it, being silly.”
Averaging 24.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game this season, Avdija remains the engine of the Blazers’ offense. With a 31-34 record, Portland currently sits tenth in the Western Conference, clinging to the final Play-In spot as the Regular Season enters its final stretch.