Israeli excellence targeted by ignorant hatred as Avdija demands respect beyond politics and propaganda.
Israeli basketball star Deni Avdija has spoken candidly about the relentless abuse he faces simply for being Israeli, condemning the politicized hate that shadows his rising NBA career despite elite on-court performances.
In an interview with The Athletic, the Portland Trail Blazers forward said he is exhausted by critics who refuse to separate sport from geopolitics. Avdija stressed that he is an athlete—not a policymaker—and that his nationality should not determine how his basketball achievements are judged.
Avdija said it is deeply frustrating that even standout performances and All-Star consideration are met with political attacks, many from people he says are uninformed about Israel or the Middle East. He emphasized that pride in one’s country should not be treated as a crime, especially when hatred is fueled by ignorance rather than facts.
Despite acknowledging the serious challenges facing Israel, Avdija rejected demands that he turn his career into a political platform. He said people who lack understanding of the region’s history should refrain from moral posturing, adding that Israel and its people played a central role in helping him reach the NBA.
Avdija continues to make history regardless. He recently became the first Israeli ever named Western Conference Player of the Week and has twice been a finalist for Player of the Month. Drafted ninth overall in 2020 by the Washington Wizards, he has flourished since joining Portland ahead of the 2024–25 season and remains a strong candidate for selection to the NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles.
His message is simple and unapologetic: judge players by talent and performance—not by anti-Israel prejudice masquerading as activism.
