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Deni Avdija may have just been selected in the NBA draft last month but the 19-year-old has been a rookie in a professional league before, so that is a huge reason why he is confident there will be no major issues transitioning over to the United States.
The Washington Wizards have conducted training camp for nearly a week now as players prepare for the start of the 2020-21 season. Teams face a shortened time period to fine-tune things in practice and it is an adjustment that Avdija is working through.
Of course, Avdija played three seasons with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel before the Wizards made him the ninth overall pick. He joins the Wizards, not as the typical rookie, and will be looking to use his past experiences this season.
“I’m not going to lie, it is different,” Avdija said Wednesday on a Zoom call with reporters. “In the beginning, also when I was in Maccabi, my game was accelerating more. I was playing more fast. I was not as calm as I used to be. It’s all because it’s new to me. When things are new to me, and I feel like [it’s the] first day — like a lot of players on the team right now — it all seems so fast for me. But I believe when we’re going to start the season, we have these games and there are more games I’m going to play, I’m going to feel the game come slower to me. That’s eventually what I’m targeting and I’m aiming for.”
Avdija became the highest-drafted Israeli player ever last month after averaging 12.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season during Israel League play. He has been touted as a player that can do quite a few things on the court, something that figures to help the Wizards.
Wizards head coach Scott Brooks noticed that Avdija has fit in well thus far with his teammates but still needs to see more reps in practice. He hasn’t had much time with the team to this point but once things slow down, he believes his play on the court will show.
“It’s been a thing for me, in the beginning, because it’s new to you and you trying to do everything fast,” Avdija said. “I saw that in my third year in Europe, I felt like it’s all slowing down for me. I’m not playing as fast. I’m thinking more. I’m reading the game better so it’s going to happen here, too. I just need to get used to everything. I just need to breakthrough and, hopefully, it will be like that year and I think I’ll play better.”
Given his past experiences, Avdija figures to have an easier transition to the NBA over other rookies. Playing against the older competition in the past will certainly be to his benefit and that could end up paying dividends for the Wizards this season.
Washington begins preseason play on Sunday vs. the Brooklyn Nets.
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