Deni Avdija Says He Dreams of an NBA Title and Returning to Live in Israel

Deni Avdija, coming off the best season of his NBA career, gave a wide-ranging interview to Israeli TV show "Ulan Shishi" with Dani Kushmaro. The Portland Trail Blazers star said this year made him an All-Star and the first Israeli to reach the NBA playoffs, and he reflected on pressure, family, money, and his future after the season that ended a few weeks ago.

Avdija said he grew rapidly from age 15, adding that he gained 10 to 12 centimeters in one summer. He described feeling embarrassed by his height as a teenager and said he missed much of childhood because of the pain and demands of growing up as an elite athlete. Recalling a 17-year-old interview in which he said he wanted to surpass Omri Casspi, Avdija said he meant no disrespect, only that he wanted to be better.

He also spoke about his father, saying the combination of "the warm Israeli side" and "the tough Serbian side" shaped him. He said his father would shout at him after losses and that the strictness was hard as a child, but it taught him not to give up. He credited his mother as the balancing force and said mindset is the most important thing in sports. On the court, he said his aggressiveness and fearlessness make him different, and that trash talk is "like chess."

Avdija said his salary is "unreal" and that his life now is airplanes, hotels, and moving from city to city. He also said he was glad New York won and that he is happy for Victor Wembanyama. Looking ahead, he said his dream is to keep breaking barriers, one day have a family and possibly a son, and eventually live in Israel again. "I grew up here and I want my children to live here too," he said.