Global fan support propels Israel’s NBA standout toward historic All-Star debut, symbolizing pride, excellence, and resilience.
The 2026 NBA All-Star Game, one of basketball’s most prestigious global showcases, is set to take place in Los Angeles on February 15, 2026—and an Israeli name is suddenly at the center of the spotlight.
Under the NBA’s current format, fan voting accounts for 50% of the selection for All-Star starters, with the remaining votes split between players and team staff. Two weeks after voting opened, early results released Monday revealed a stunning surge for Deni Avdija, the standout forward for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Avdija has already amassed 606,299 fan votes, placing him seventh in the Western Conference, just two spots shy of earning a place in the starting five. Israeli fans—and supporters worldwide—have mobilized heavily, pushing Avdija into historic territory as a potential first-ever Israeli NBA All-Star.
Remarkably, Avdija has outpolled global basketball icons, surpassing LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kevin Durant of the Houston Rockets in early fan returns.
Drafted ninth overall in 2020 by the Washington Wizards, Avdija spent four seasons in Washington before joining Portland ahead of the 2024–25 season. Last February, he set a new benchmark for Israeli players by scoring 43 points against the New Orleans Pelicans.
This season, Avdija is averaging an elite 25.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game. On Sunday night, he powered Portland past the Boston Celtics, recording 24 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds.
Avdija’s rise is not just a sporting milestone—it is a moment of national pride, resilience, and global recognition for Israeli excellence on the world’s biggest basketball stage.
