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Projected top-five pick Deni Avdija told Jonathan Givony of ESPN on Friday that he will finish out his season with Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel before moving to the United States for the NBA Draft.
Teams in the Israel Basketball League are set to play seven regular-season games beginning on Sunday before starting the playoffs. The quarterfinals of the playoffs will be a best-of-three format while the semifinals and finals will be single-elimination games at the end of July.
“Before I go to the U.S., I have a job to finish here in Israel,” Avdija said. “As a competitor, I am committed to my organization and teammates to help bring a championship to Tel Aviv. We were having such a great season, so winning the title, even with the delay and without live fans, will give me a sense that the hard work paid off.”
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Avdija is considered to be one of the top international prospects available in the NBA Draft and is expected to be a top-five pick. Prior to the season suspension in March, Avdija was averaging 12.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists in Israel.
The 6-foot-8 forward projects to fit in well as a secondary ball-handler and cutter for an NBA team. He struggled some with his shot in Israel but his versatility on defense and ability to create for himself has teams intrigued near the top of the draft.
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