Mar 2, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (2) and forward Dean Wade (32) during the second half at Rocket Arena. Photot: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija has become the first Israeli to be named an NBA All-Star at the age of 25.
The 6-foot-8 athlete was named an All-Star reserve for the Western Conference on Sunday and was among 14 announced reserves who will compete in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 15 in Inglewood, California.
The All-Star showdown will be set like a tournament with US vs. the World, and three teams of at least eight players will compete in 12-minute games in a round-robin structure. Avdija will join Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama and others on the World team. The top two teams will go head-to-head in the championship.
“I worked hard,” Avdija told Blazer’s Edge after the announcement was made. “I play hard. I don’t want to say I deserve it, but I do respect me and my game. And I’m really happy that I’m able to be an All-Star.” He also talked about the support and congratulations he has received following the news.
“The amount of love — not only from family and friends — it’s also the fans,” Avdija said. “And the whole State of Israel is just standing behind me, for real. My teammates have been awesome. Coaches. Everybody just hugging and showing the love.”
Avdija, who has been nicknamed “Turbo,” finished seventh place in the NBA All-Star voting with over 2.2 million fans votes. He is the 17th player in the history of the Blazers to be named an All-Star and the first since Damian Lillard in 2023.
Avdija was born in Beit Zera, a kibbutz on the southern shore of the Sea of Galilee. He previously played for Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel and spent four years with the Washington Wizards, who drafted him in the first round in 2020. He was the first Israeli chosen in the top 10 in an NBA draft. Avdija is currently in his second season with the Blazers.
“Proud of him. I know he cares about this team,” said Blazers coach Tiago Splitter after Avdija’s All-Star status was announced. “When you see a person like that succeeding, it’s truly special.”
Avdija has three triple-doubles this season, reached double figures in assists nine times, and scored 20 or more points a total of 35 times, according to the NBA. He joins Jokić and Dončić as one of three players averaging at least 25 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Avdija did not play during Portland’s 130-111 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday because of pain related to back issues.