Deni Avdija

Deni Avdija climbs in new rankings, earns high praise

The Portland star ranks 24th on Bleacher Report’s NBA list and rises from 76th to 27th in CBS’s rankings: “He could become one of the best in the league.” Full rankings inside.

|ByWALLA! SPORTS
Avdija rises in the rankings.
Domantas Sabonis and Deni Avdija.

Jewish guide to the 2026-27 NBA season

Fresh off becoming the first Israeli All-Star basketball player in NBA history, Deni Avdija leads a growing cohort of Jewish and Israeli players taking the court in the upcoming season.

|ByJACOB GURVIS/JTA
SHAHAR AMIR returns to Hapoel Holon after a breakout season with Hapoel Galil Elyon, looking to build on his progress and help the Purples make a strong start to the new Israeli league campaign.

Back home in Holon, Shahar Amir looks to take next step in basketball, life - interview

Shahar Amir returns to Hapoel Holon following a breakout season with Galil Elyon, reflecting on personal milestones, the loss of Raz Adam, and his hopes for the future.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Deni, the new Persian leopard at Ramat Gan Safari.

The Persian leopard named after the NBA star arrives at the Safari

A Persian leopard named Deni, after Deni Avdija, arrived at the Ramat Gan Safari to mate with Noa as part of a European breeding program.

|ByMOSHE COHEN

Avdija leaves Blazers’ victory over Suns just one minute in with back injury

During Portland’s second offensive possession, Avdija felt discomfort while backing down his defender in the post. Almost immediately, he signaled that something wasn’t right.

FEBRUARY 24, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS Israeli forward Deni Avdija heads to the locker room after suffering an injury against the Phoenix Suns early in the first half on Sunday night.

Deni Avdija’s all-star moment: A political dtatement in disguise - opinion

In today’s Western cultural institutions, Israeli visibility rarely exists in neutral space.

FEBRUARY 23, 2026ByLINDA ARGALGI SADACKA
Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets and Team USA Stripes shoots against Deni Avdija #8 of the Toronto Raptors and Team World during the 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome on February 15, 2026 in Inglewood, California.

Spike Lee says pro-Palestinian NBA All-Star Game outfit not meant as dig against Deni Avdija

Lee wore a keffiyeh-patterned sweater and a bag strap with Palestinian flag badges. Critics claimed he specifically chose the outfit because of the presence of Israel's first All-Star Game player.

FEBRUARY 18, 2026ByPHILISSA CRAMER/JTA
Spike Lee at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game held at the Intuit Dome on Feb. 15, 2026 in Los Angeles.

Spike Lee, Kyrie Irving wear pro-Palestinian outfits to NBA All-Star Game featuring Israeli player

Lee wore a keffiyeh-patterned sweater and flag badges while Irving wore a Wear the Peace "PRESS" shirt, which was "dedicated to our beloved journalists in Gaza, showing the world the truth."

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByPHILISSA CRAMER/JTA
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Spike Lee and John Tesh watch during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome.

'I heard great things': LeBron James faces backlash after praising Deni Avdija, Israel

The Los Angeles Lakers forward said he heard "nothing but great things" about Israel while discussing Avdija, the first Israeli to feature in the NBA All-Star Game.

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Portland, Oregon, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket during the second half against Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) at Moda Center, Feb 20, 2025.

The backlash to Lebron James' praise of Israel is jarring, but predictable - comment

Lebron James was answering a question about Deni Avdija, the first Israeli to feature in an NBA All-Star Game, when he made positive comments about Israel, prompting the online criticism.

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByALEX C. MICHAEL
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team USA Stripes forward LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball in game four against Team Stars during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome.

Israeli basketball star Deni Avdija makes history at the NBA All-Star Game

"It's a dream come true," Avdija said before the tournament, holding his Team World uniform with the Israeli flag and his number 8. 

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets and Team USA Stripes shoots against Deni Avdija #8 of the Toronto Raptors and Team World during the 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome on February 15, 2026 in Inglewood, California.

Maccabi Tel Aviv to auction NBA All-Star Deni Avdija’s final game-worn jersey

The auction will open Thursday at 5 p.m. Israel time on the club’s official online store, with bidding set to close Sunday at 6 p.m., hours before Avdija's NBA All-Star game.

FEBRUARY 11, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
NBA star and former Maccabi Tel Aviv player Deni Avdija's signed shirt.

Iran’s supreme leader tells Eretz Nehederet he’s bored of bingeing TV in his bunker

Eretz Nehederet shifted focus from Trump to a bunker-bound Khamenei, mocking Iran-US tensions, Israeli defense systems, and domestic politics amid mounting war anxiety.

FEBRUARY 5, 2026ByHANNAH BROWN
Eretz Nehederet parodies Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, February 4, 2026.

Deni Avdija first Israeli to be an NBA All-Star, Gaza hospital director revealed as Hamas colonel

The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Shifra Jacobs—the top stories, clear and concise.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST PODCASTS
Feb 29, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija (8)drives past Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the second half at Crypto.com Arena.