Deni Avdija (NBA)
Deni Avdija, a professional basketball player known for his versatility and dynamic play as a small forward for the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA, has been listed as the highest paid Israeli professional athlete in the world. The Israeli publication Calcalist placed him at the top of its list of highest paid Israeli athletes, citing his annual salary as $15.625 million (2024/25 season), not including any endorsement deals, etc.
Born on January 3, 2001, in Beit Zera, Israel, Avdija is the son of former Yugoslav basketball player Zufer Avdija. He began playing basketball in the fourth grade and joined Maccabi Tel Aviv’s youth team in 2013. Deni Avdija made his professional debut with Maccabi Tel Aviv’s senior team in 2017 at the age of 16, becoming the youngest player in the club’s history. During his tenure, he achieved significant success, including winning the Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP award in 2020 and leading his team to multiple league championships.
In the 2020 NBA Draft, Deni Avdija was selected ninth overall by the Washington Wizards, marking a historic moment as the highest-drafted Israeli player in NBA history. He signed his rookie contract with the Wizards on December 1, 2020. Throughout his time with Washington, Avdija displayed steady development, culminating in a career-high performance of 43 points and 15 rebounds against the New Orleans Pelicans on February 14, 2024. He concluded the 2023–24 season with averages of 14.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game.
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On July 6, 2024, Deni Avdija was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Malcolm Brogdon, Bub Carrington, and several draft picks. Since joining Portland, he has continued to elevate his game, recording his first career triple-double on March 2, 2025, against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He achieved his second triple-double on April 2, 2025, with 32 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in a victory over the Atlanta Hawks. In March 2025, Deni Avdija averaged 23.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, shooting 51.0% from the field and 45.7% from three-point range.
