A long-dreamt milestone for Israeli basketball as a whole has finally become a reality. Israeli NBA star Deni Avdija has made history by becoming the first-ever Israeli voted into the NBA All-Star Game.
Avdija, who plays forward for the Portland Trail Blazers, landed fifth in fan voting in the Western Conference with 2.2 million votes, “trail-blazing” through the competition. In the West, Avdija joins All-Stars such as Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić, Victor Wembanyama and reserves including LeBron James and Kevin Durant. Avdija is in the midst of the best season of his career, and is only one of three players in the NBA who have averaged at least 25 points, seven rebounds, and six assists this season. After learning of his selection, Avdija reflected on the journey that brought him here to this moment, saying, “I started playing basketball without a dream and just to see, pursue it and just see wherever it takes me.” He added, “It’s hard to believe that you just accomplish things after thing after thing. It’s just emotional for me for sure.”
Portland Trail Blazers head coach Tiago Splitter praised Avdija’s charisma and performance: “Proud of him. I know he cares about this team,” Splitter said. “When you see a person like that succeeding, it’s truly special.”
Avdija also acknowledged the competition for All-Star spots and players who did not make the cut, saying: “there’s a lot of talent in this league that could have been instead of me.” Avdija praised his teammates in making this achievement possible, noting the need to contribute to team sports as an individual. Omri Casspi, the first Israeli player in the NBA, congratulated Avdija on this historic milestone.
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game will be played on February 15 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, marking the stage for Avdija’s historic appearance.
This year’s All-Star Game will debut the new USA vs. World format, adding to the significance of Avdija’s selection. Reflecting Avdija’s journey, the change highlights the NBA’s growing emphasis on its global talent pool. Representing Team World, Avdija’s appearance highlights both his standout season and Israel’s growing presence on the NBA’s international stage.
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