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.

JANUARY 31, 2026|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.

JANUARY 16, 2026|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF

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.

JANUARY 11, 2026|ByIDAN KWELLER

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

JANUARY 7, 2026|ByISAAC KAPLAN

Serbia’s Nikola Djurisic, who has Israel connection, sees pre-NBA draft stock soar

While there will be no Israelis picked in this draft for the fourth year in a row since Deni Avdija was taken by the Washington Wizards with the ninth pick of the 2020 Draft.

JUNE 25, 2024ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

SERBIAN SWINGMAN Nikola Djurisic – who spent a year in Israel when he was a baby – is hoping to be picked in the first round of tonight’s NBA Draft.

No matter who wins the Finals, Jewish ‘NBA Countdown’ host Malika Andrews has become a star

Malika Andrews, ESPN's rising star and Jewish host of "NBA Countdown," excels in sports journalism, bridging her Jewish and Black identities while inspiring diverse communities.

JUNE 18, 2024ByJACOB GURVIS/JTA

December 9, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; ESPN reporter Malika Andrews after the in-season tournament championship between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Indiana Pacers at T-Mobile Arena.

Persistence pays off for Kiryat Ata's basketball star, James Batemon

Following a stunning sweep of Ramat Gan, Sharon Avrahami & Co. take on Hapoel Tel Aviv in semis.

JUNE 5, 2024ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

JAMES BATEMON has been at the forefront of Ironi Kiryat Ata’s resurgence this season, with the American guard propelling the club into the league semifinals.

Hulu’s ‘Clipped’ dramatizes real story of Jewish LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s downfall

FX's "Clipped" miniseries revisits Donald Sterling's Clippers saga. Sterling's racism, bans, and controversies unfold in this adaptation of "The Sterling Affairs" podcast.

JUNE 5, 2024ByJTA/JACOB GARVIS

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling.

Robert Kraft’s foundation to air ad slamming campus antisemitism during NBA playoffs

“When you protest, bring your passion,” the ad begins. “Your tenacity. Your anger. But don’t bring hate to the protest.”

MAY 8, 2024ByJACOB GURVIS/JTA

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was the keynote speaker at United Hatzalah's fourth annual New York gala on June 6, 2023

Deni Avdija is a must-see DC attraction

Israeli basketball player Deni Avdija shines in the NBA, showing growth and leadership for the Washington Wizards. His pivotal role in a victory against the Milwaukee Bucks highlights his potential

APRIL 4, 2024ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN