Tag: Deni Avdija

Wizards’ Deni Avdija leaves in wheelchair after suffering ankle injury

Wizards rookie Deni Avdija was forced to leave early on Wednesday after suffering a right ankle injury.

Deni Avdija on Wednesday was forced to leave the Washington Wizards’ 118-114 win over the Golden State Warriors early after suffering a right ankle injury.

Avdija went up for a layup attempt late in the second quarter and appeared to have his leg caught up under his body. He came down and landed awkwardly on his right ankle and was forced to leave the court area in a wheelchair following the sequence.

The Wizards ruled Avdija out from returning to the contest, but it was reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN that X-rays revealed Avdija suffered a hairline fracture in his right ankle and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Afterward, Wizards head coach Scott Brooks did not know the severity of the injury and wasn’t comfortable speculating on it until speaking with the medical staff.

While the team hasn’t made an official determination yet, Brooks has enjoyed coaching him this season.

Two things about Deni that I love: He cares a lot and he works extremely hard. Those are two characteristics that we want our program to be about. He is about those things. … Deni cares, works hard and he is an outstanding kid. We’re lucky to have him on our team. We’re going to keep getting him better. I don’t know what his rest of the year will be but (we’re) hoping for the best. I don’t know as of right now.

Avdija entered play on Wednesday averaging 6.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 53 games played this season. The ninth overall pick has started in each of the 15 contests for the Wizards and had emerged as a key contributor as of late.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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2021 NBA Rising Stars: Edwards, Wiseman among rookies named to rosters

Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards and Warriors center James Wiseman were among the first-year players named to the Rising Stars rosters.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards and Golden State Warriors center James Wiseman on Wednesday were among the first-year players named to the 2021 NBA Rising Stars rosters, the league announced.

The Rising Stars game, which is the annual showcase of the top young talent from the United States and around the world, will not be played this year due to the limitation of having All-Star events all on March 7. To recognize players, the NBA still named those deserving of the honor to the team.

The rosters were voted on by NBA assistant coaches with each selecting four frontcourt players, four guards and two additional players at any position. The teams are comprised of 10 first- and second-year players from the U.S. and 10 first- and second-year players from outside of the U.S.

The U.S. Team features a roster with players from 10 different teams, headlined by reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Ja Morant and All-Star Zion Williamson. Meanwhile, six countries are represented on the World Team, including five players from Canada.

The All-Star 2021 festivities begin on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. EST with the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest tipping off the action. The Slam Dunk Contest will take place during halftime of the All-Star Game.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Wizards rookie Deni Avdija: ‘I feel like I belong’ in the NBA

The ninth overall pick believes that good things will happen the more that he plays this season with the Wizards.

Washington Wizards rookie Deni Avdija knew that he would just need time to adjust to the speed and physicality of playing in the NBA. Even through his first seven games, the 20-year-old feels like he knows the game even better than he did a month ago.

Avdija arrived in the NBA with prior professional experience after playing three seasons overseas with Maccabi Tel Avid in Israel. He has perhaps the most exposure to high-level basketball of any other rookie this year, and that has made for a smooth transition.

The ninth overall pick has started in every Wizards game to this point and is averaging 7.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals, while shooting 47.8% (11-of-23) from 3-point range. While he has had a solid start, he still knows that he can be better the more he plays.

“It’s just knowing the NBA better,” Avdija said on Tuesday of how he has improved since joining the Wizards. “How to defend better with your hands and just how to read the game better. I think me getting more experience and just feeling more comfortable on the court, I feel like I belong. I believe that with time, a lot of good things will happen. I’m looking forward to it.”

Avdija has impressed teammates and coaches by the volume of questions he asks during games and practices. The inquisitive nature of Avdija shows that he has a willingness to want to learn and improve, but that is simply just his personality on full display.

“I’m a very curious guy,” Avdija said. “If I’m in a new situation, if I’m in a new environment if I go travel somewhere, wherever I go, I always read about the city where I’m going, how big the population is, etc. Me asking questions is not going to kill anybody, it’s just going to help me know better things. That’s just me, that’s just my personality.”

By all accounts, Avdija will continue to have the opportunity to play a large role with the Wizards this season and that will certainly lead to more questions asked, but that should enable him to improve on a nightly basis.

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Interesting NBA teams you should add to your League Pass watch list

With the start of the 2020-21 NBA season upon us, there are several teams that look quite a bit different than when we last saw them.

Especially while watching the teams that were good last season, it can be an overwhelming experience to track the year-over-year roster changes for teams that restructured. Of course, most fans are going to pay close attention to the teams that are favored to win the championship.

But as you decide what games to watch if you subscribe to NBA League Pass, you should seriously consider tuning in to these teams that may not have been on your radar last season.

NBA predictions: Our picks for All-League teams

HoopsHype predicts all of the All-NBA squads for the 2020-21 season, including the All-Defense and All-Rookie honorees as well.

As we get closer and closer to the upcoming 2020-21 season, HoopsHype decided to make predictions for the All-NBA squads – including rookies and defensive players.

As the league does it, for each group, HoopsHype writers were allowed to pick one big man, two forwards and two guards. These were the results:

Wizards’ Deni Avdija perfect from the floor in NBA preseason debut

Wizards rookie Deni Avdija earned the start on Sunday and recorded 15 points in his debut versus the Nets.

Washington Wizards rookie Deni Avdija earned the start on Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets and quickly proved why he was worthy of that honor during his preseason debut.

Avdija tallied 15 points, four rebounds and two assists during his Wizards debut while he finished a perfect 6-of-6 from the field, making all three of his 3-point attempts. He looked comfortable on the floor and flashed his offensive versatility, from working in the post to even handling the ball during some stretches in transition.

Wizards head coach Scott Brooks said prior to the game that the ninth overall pick was deserving to be in the starting lineup because of the toughness that he brings to the floor. Of course, Avdija is one of the more polished players in the draft this year having played overseas, and that poise and skill was on display on Sunday.

Avdija said this week that he will be using his past experiences playing professionally to his advantage this season. He admitted that he is still adjusting to the speed of the NBA but is confident he will pick it up quickly, which will allow him to play his game.

Of course, the highlight of the matchup on Sunday was the debut of Kevin Durant and the return of Kyrie Irving for the Nets but Avdija proved to be a nice subplot of the contest.

Washington returns to action on Thursday vs. the Detroit Pistons.

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Wizards’ Deni Avdija reacts to the speed of the game in the NBA

Avdija will be drawing on his past professional experiences in Israel to help with the transition to the Wizards.

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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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The 10 betting favorites to win 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year

The 10 betting favorites to win 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year

The 10 odds-on favorites to win 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year

The 10 odds-on favorites to win 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year

Wizards’ Deni Avdija becomes highest-ever drafted Israeli player

Deni Avdija on Wednesday also became just the fifth Israeli player ever drafted in the NBA.

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When Deni Avdija on Wednesday was selected ninth overall in the NBA draft by the Washington Wizards, the Israeli-born player made a bit of history during the process.

He became the highest-drafted Israeli player ever with the selection and just the second Israeli player to be drafted in the first round, joining Omri Casspi, who was the 23rd overall pick, in 2009. Avdija also became just the fifth Israeli player ever drafted in the NBA.

The 19-year-old previously played for Maccabi Tel Aviv prior to entering the NBA draft, where he averaged 12.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season during Israel League play. He also earned MVP honors at the 2019 FIBA U-20 European Championship.

The thought of making history in Israel never crossed his mind.

I mean, I didn’t imagine that. It was crazy for me. Israel is such a small country that doesn’t provide as many NBA players as other countries but for me just to represent my country and to make history, that’s a blessing. I have the whole nation behind me. I hope I’m going to represent well. I never dreamed about this moment. I’m thinking it’s just still a dream. I mean, I don’t have any words.

Avdija was one of 13 international players from 10 countries selected in the draft this year, joining the likes of Killian Hayes (France), Aleksej Pokuševski (Serbia), Josh Green (Australia) and Precious Achiuwa (Nigeria) among others.

The 2019-20 season featured 108 international players from 38 countries in the NBA, which marked the sixth consecutive season that there were at least 100 international players on rosters.

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