Nba

Israel’s basketball powerhouse: Deni Avdija’s meteoric rise to NBA stardom

Deni Avdija has become the fulcrum of Portland’s offense and one of the most productive two-way forwards in the league.

|ByASHER SMITH
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS forward Deni Avdija (8) scores a basket during the first half against Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
IN HIS sixth NBA season, Israeli forward has taken a big leap with the Portland Trail Blazers and is favored to make his first All-Star Game.

Deni Avdija nears Portland Trailblazers NBA return following injury

Portland forward Deni Avdija is close to returning after missing one game with lower-back soreness, as his strong season keeps him in the All-Star conversation.

|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Deni Avdija

Did Washington move too soon on Avdija? Former manager Tommy Sheppard offers an answer - interview

Avdija’s first season highlighted the difficulty. An ankle injury limited him to 54 games, and according to Sheppard, that period tested his character.

|ByIDAN KWELLER
Basketball.

Deni Avdija’s NBA leap is turning Israeli hoops into must-watch TV

|ByISAAC KAPLAN

Israeli basketball stars shine on NBA opening night: Avdija leads Portland, Saraf starts

Israeli basketball talent shone on NBA opening night as Deni Avdija led Portland and Ben Saraf debuted as Brooklyn’s youngest starter, marking a historic moment for Israeli hoops.

OCTOBER 23, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) brings the ball up the court against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Moda Center, October 22, 2025.

Vasilije Micic reminds Europe who he is, leads Hapoel Tel Aviv past Valencia

Micic wasn’t about to let anyone think that at age 31 he was done. After a mystical third frame, he was anything but finished.

OCTOBER 16, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
VASILIJE MICIC had a dominant Euroleague performance for Hapoel Tel Aviv at Valencia, leading the Reds to victory with a vintage display of skill and leadership

Less Rhodes, more NBA: Israelis discover sports vacations in America

A new trend in Israeli tourism: Sports vacations to the U.S. instead of Greece and Rhodes, with a significant rise in flights to NBA games and the World Cup thanks to Israeli players.

OCTOBER 7, 2025ByMEITAL SHARABI/MAARIV
NBATrips.

Maccabi Tel Aviv signs 28-year-old NBA vet Jeff Dowtin Jr., continues major retool

The move comes after weeks of negotiations and completes another major piece in the Israeli powerhouse’s backcourt rebuild plagued with ex-NBA's starts.

AUGUST 5, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Jeff Dowtin Jr. seen here during his stint last season with the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers – joins Maccabi Tel Aviv on a three-year deal as part of the club’s revamped backcourt ahead of the upcoming Euroleague campaign.

Omri, Shani Casspi open up about heartbreaking pregnancy loss

"I’m grateful for the three treasures we have at home. Thank you to everyone for the messages, support, care, and concern," Shani Casspi wrote.

AUGUST 4, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
OMRI CASSPI and his wife, Shani, pose with their children.

After NBA setbacks and playoff heroics, Walker IV joins Mac TA

The former NBA guard joins the Israeli powerhouse before the 2025/26 season, expected to play a key role and boost athleticism and scoring in the yellow-and-blue’s backcourt.

JULY 28, 2025ByEMILY KLEIN
FORMER NBA guard Lonnie Walker IV, shown here during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, brings his scoring punch and playoff experience to Maccabi Tel Aviv.

NBA's Deni Avdija in house as Israel opens EuroBasket training camp

Blue-and-white’s NBA star leads the way as national team gathers in Tel Aviv to begin EuroBasket journey.

JULY 22, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
DENI AVDIJA will certainly be the focus in Israel’s EuroBasket roster, but the blue-and-white have a well-rounded and deep team poised to make noise in the tournament, which tips off in late August.

Hapoel Tel Aviv boosts squad with former Euroleague stars

Hapoel Tel Aviv continues to strengthen its roster with star players, aiming to conquer the country and potentially make a historic run in Europe.

JULY 9, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Chris Jones (left) and Tyler Ennis (right) are expected to be key pieces of Hapoel Tel Aviv’s Euroleague debut this season.

Double draft delight: Israelis Ben Saraf, Danny Wolf unite with the Brooklyn Nets

On this night, two young Jewish athletes made the world stop and take notice – together, in black and white, at the very heart of basketball’s most diverse city. 

JULY 5, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
BEN SARAF (L) and DANNY WOLF are slated to become the first Israeli teammates in the NBA.

Grammy-Winning Violinist Miri Ben-Ari Makes History

Israeli superstar becomes first artist to headline NBA Finals Game 7 halftime show

JULY 1, 2025ByALAN ROSENBAUM
Miri Ben-Ari playing at halftime of Game 7 of the NBA Finals in Oklahoma City on June 22, 2025