“Emotional for me”: Blazers forward Deni Avdija makes honest confession following his historic NBA All-Star nod

Deni Avdija stood in the Portland locker room on Sunday night with a milestone secured and a long journey behind him. When the NBA announced its 2026 All-Star reserves, the Trail Blazers forward heard his name among the first-time selections. Avdija became the first Israeli player in NBA history to earn an All-Star nod, placing him on a global stage few imagined when his career began.The selection followed a breakout season built on consistency and expanded responsibility. Avdija narrowly missed the fan-voted starting lineup in the Western Conference, yet league coaches stepped in to recognize his impact. On February 15, he will represent the World Team at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, sharing the floor with stars such as Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.Deni Avdija did not hide what the moment meant to him. In a lockerroom interview, the Blazers forward shared his honest thoughts after securing the All-Star nod.“I’m proud, you know. I just remembered all the journey that I’ve come along with, you know, wasn’t in the easiest situation throughout my career,” Deni Avdija said.He continued, “You know, I start playing basketball without a dream and just see pursuit it and just see wherever it takes me,” adding, “it’s hard to believe that you just accomplish thing after thing after thing, it’s just emotional for me for sure.” In his sixth NBA season and second with Portland, Avdija is averaging 25.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.7 assists while shooting 46.7 percent from the field. He ranks among league leaders in total points and assists and has scored in double figures in every game this season. Avdija’s All-Star nod marks a first for Israeli basketball. No player from Israel had previously reached the NBA All-Star Game, making this selection a national milestone. He will be part of the NBA’s new U.S. versus World format, where three teams compete in a round-robin tournament before a championship game.His path to this stage began in Washington, where he spent four seasons after being selected ninth overall in the 2020 draft. A trade to Portland before the 2024–25 season opened the door to a larger role. On February 15, Avdija will step onto the All-Star floor as both a first-time selection and a history maker.