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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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