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Deni Avdija

Deni Avdija (/ˈdɛni əvˈdijə/ DEN-ee əv-DEE-yə; Hebrew: דֶנִי אָבְדִיָה, Serbian Cyrillic: Дени Авдија; born 3 January 2001) is an Israeli professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He plays the small forward position.[1]

Deni Avdija
Avdija with the Washington Wizards in 2022
No. 8 – Portland Trail Blazers
PositionSmall forward
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (2001-01-03) 3 January 2001 (age 23)
Beit Zera, Israel
NationalityIsraeli / Serbian
Listed height6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
NBA draft2020: 1st round, 9th overall pick
Selected by the Washington Wizards
Playing career2017–present
Career history
2017–2020Maccabi Tel Aviv
2020–2024Washington Wizards
2024–presentPortland Trail Blazers
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Israel
FIBA U20 European Championship
Gold medal – first place 2018 Germany Team
Gold medal – first place 2019 Israel Team

The son of Serbian-Gorani former basketball player Zufer Avdija, he started playing basketball in the fourth grade for his hometown club Bnei Herzliya Basket, and then in 2013 for Maccabi Tel Aviv. He excelled as a youth player. He debuted for their senior team in 2017, at age 16, becoming the youngest player in club history. Two years later, he became the youngest player to ever win the Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP award, and led his team to the Israeli Basketball Premier League championship.

In 2020, Avdija declared for the NBA draft and was drafted by the Washington Wizards. He is also a member of the Israeli senior national basketball team. He has won two gold medals for Israel at the youth level, including at the 2019 FIBA U20 European Championship, where he was named tournament's most valuable player.

Early life and youth career

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Avdija was born in kibbutz Beit Zera in Israel. His mother, Sharon Artzi, is an Israeli Jew and former track and field and basketball player.[2] His father, Zufer Avdija, is an Israeli citizen of Serbian Gorani–Muslim heritage [2][3][4] who played basketball for the Yugoslavia national team prior to moving to Israel to play for Israeli teams.[5]

Deni Avdija played association football until he entered fourth grade, when his friend and teammate Itamar Vule convinced him to try basketball because of his height. He started focusing more on basketball. In 2013, he joined the youth ranks of Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he played under the coach Shai Omer.[6] From 2017 to 2019, Avdija led Maccabi Tel Aviv to three consecutive Israeli youth state championships.[7] In August 2018, he participated in Basketball Without Borders Europe in Belgrade, where he was named camp MVP.[8][9]

Avdija initially competed at the youth level for Bnei Herzliya, and in January 2019, Avdija played for Maccabi Tel Aviv's U18 team at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament (ANGT) in Munich. He was selected to the all-tournament team after leading the event with 24.3 points, 6 assists, and 3.8 steals per game and a Performance Index Rating (PIR) of 31.5. Avdija also ranked second among all players with 11 rebounds per game, while helping his team finish in second place.[10] In February 2019, at the NBA All-Star Weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina, Avdija was named MVP of the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp.[11] In May, he joined Maccabi Tel Aviv's U18 team for the ANGT Finals. He collected all-tournament team honours after leading the event with 24.7 points and 12 rebounds per game with a PIR of 29.7, while ranking second with 6.7 assists per game.[12]

Professional career

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Maccabi Tel Aviv (2017–2020)

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On 5 November 2017, Avdija started his professional career with Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv, signing a six-year deal with the club.[13] On 19 November, he made his professional debut in the 2017–18 Israeli Basketball Premier League, playing three minutes against Ironi Nes Ziona. At 16 years and 320 days of age, he became the youngest player to ever play for his club's senior team.[14][15] Avdija made his EuroLeague debut on 22 November 2018, at the age of 17, in a 74–70 loss to Fenerbahçe. He scored two points in three minutes of playing time.[16]

 
Avdija with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2019

On 24 October 2019, at the age of 18, Avdija made his first start in the EuroLeague, recording six points and three rebounds in 16 minutes in a 76–63 victory over Valencia.[17] On 11 January 2020, Avdija recorded a then career-high of 22 points, shooting 9-of-15 from the field, with five assists in a 94–83 win over Hapoel Holon.[18] On 31 January, Avdija was named Israeli Player of the Month in the Israeli Basketball Premier League after averaging 14.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, with an 18.3 PIR, in four games played that month.[19] On 1 February, Avdija established a new career-high of 26 points, shooting 9-of-12 from the field, and grabbed six rebounds in an 86–81 loss to Hapoel Eilat.[20] Six days later, he scored 13 points, including eight in the second quarter, in a 78–77 victory over Fenerbahçe.[21] His dunk over Luigi Datome during the game would be named EuroLeague Magic Moment of the Season in July 2020.[22] On 16 April, Avdija declared for the 2020 NBA draft.[23]

Avdija's season was suspended for about three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned to action on 21 June, recording 23 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in 24 minutes in a 114–82 win over Maccabi Ashdod.[24] On 23 July, he scored 22 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, and grabbed 10 rebounds in an 83–68 win over Hapoel Tel Aviv, helping Maccabi Tel Aviv advance to the Israeli Basketball Premier League Final Four.[25] In the Final on 28 July, Avdija recorded five points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals to help Maccabi Tel Aviv defeat Maccabi Rishon LeZion, 86–81.[26] He became the youngest player to ever win the Israeli League MVP award.[27] Avdija was also named Israeli League Israeli Player of the Year and was an All-Israeli League First Team selection.[28] He finished the season averaging 12.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game in the Israeli Basketball Premier League. In the EuroLeague, Avdija averaged four points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 14.3 minutes per game.[29]

Washington Wizards (2020–2024)

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Avdija attempts a midrange shot in October 2021

Avdija was selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft by the Washington Wizards.[30][31] He was projected as a consensus top 5 pick on draft night but slipped.[32] He signed a rookie contract with the Wizards on 1 December 2020.[33][34]

On 9 January 2021, Avdija recorded a then-career-high 20 points and five three-pointers, along with five rebounds, five assists, and two steals in a 128–124 loss to the Miami Heat.[35] On 21 April, Avdija suffered a right ankle fracture during a 118–114 win against the Golden State Warriors.[36][37]

On 14 February 2022, Avdija set a then career high in rebounds with 15 in a 103–94 loss to the Detroit Pistons.[38] During the 2021–22 season, Avdija played all 82 games while averaging 8.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.[39]

On 11 January 2023, Avdija set a new career high in rebounds with 20 in a 100–97 win against the Chicago Bulls.[40] On 30 January 2023, Avdija set a then career high in points with 25 in a 127–109 win against the San Antonio Spurs.[41]

On 22 October 2023, Avdija and the Washington Wizards agreed to a 4-year, $55 million contract extension.[42]

On 14 February 2024, Avdija posted a new career high in points with 43, along with 15 rebounds, in a 133–126 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.[43] He finished the 2023–24 season averaging career highs across every major statistical category, posting statistical averages of 14.7 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game, 3.8 assists per game, to go along with 51% field goal percentage, 37% three-point shooting percentage, and 3.6 free throw attempts per game.[44]

Portland Trail Blazers (2024–present)

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On 6 July 2024, Avdija was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Bub Carrington, Malcolm Brogdon, and several draft selections.[45]

National team career

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Junior national team

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Although he had also been eligible to represent Serbia internationally, due to his father's background, Avdija chose to play for Israel because he had friends there and was more familiar with its language.[46] He competed for Israel at the 2017 FIBA U16 European Championship in Podgorica. Avdija led the tournament with 12.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game, to go with 15.3 points per game.[47][48]

 
Avdija shoots a free throw for Israel at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in April 2018

In April 2018, Avdija averaged over 17 points and nine rebounds for Israel at the Albert Schweitzer Tournament, an under-18 competition in Mannheim.[49] In July 2018, he played at the FIBA U20 European Championship in Chemnitz, leading Israel to a gold medal. Avdija averaged 12.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game, while earning a spot on the all-tournament team with teammate Yovel Zoosman.[50][51] Later that month, Avdija competed at the FIBA U18 European Championship Division B in Skopje. Appearing tired from his previous tournament and lacking in endurance, he averaged 17.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.4 steals per game.[52]

In July 2019, Avdija led Israel to a second straight gold medal at the FIBA U20 European Championship in Tel Aviv. He averaged 18.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.4 blocks, and 2.1 steals per game, earning MVP and all-tournament team accolades, as the second-youngest player at the event.[3][53] Avdija tallied 26 points, 11 rebounds and 5 steals against France in the semifinal, before recording 23 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks against Spain in the final.[54][55]

Senior national team

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On 21 February 2019, Avdija made his debut for the Israeli senior national team, in an 81–77 win over Germany, during the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualification stage.[56] On 24 February 2020, he recorded 21 points and eight rebounds in 24 minutes in an 87–63 victory over Romania during the EuroBasket 2021 qualifiers.[57]

His free throw shooting is not as strong as his otherwise versatile game; in 59 games for Maccabi, he averaged 59% from the free throw line and 33% from the 3-point zone.[58]

Personal life

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His father Zufer Avdija was born in Pristina, Yugoslavia. A professional basketball player in Yugoslavia and Israel, Zufer spent 11 years of his playing career with Crvena zvezda and was the team's captain in the 1980s, before moving to the Israeli Premier League in the 1990s and playing 8 seasons for Israeli clubs Ramat HaSharon, Rishon LeZion, Hapoel Tel Aviv, and Elitzur Bat Yam.[6][3][59] He also represented the Yugoslavian national team internationally, with whom he won the bronze medal at the 1982 FIBA World Championship.[5] Avdija's mother, Sharon Artzi, an Israeli Jew from kibbutz Beit Zera, is a former track and field athlete and basketball player.[2][5][59][60] Avdija is Jewish, and sat out his first preseason game with the Trail Blazers in 2024 to observe the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.[61]

Avdija holds dual citizenship of Israel and Serbia, the latter because his father is a citizen.[46][62] When he turned 18 years old, he received a deferment from mandatory service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) due to his basketball career.[60] On 1 April 2020, while the basketball season was suspended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Avdija was drafted into the IDF for a short service.[63] After a series of terrorist attacks in Israel in early 2022, Avdija wrote the Jewish solidarity phrase "Am Yisrael Chai" in Hebrew on his shoes.[64]

He has said he learned to speak English by playing video games, as well as by watching Nickelodeon sitcoms.[65]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 *  Led the league

NBA

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2020–21 Washington 54 32 23.3 .417 .315 .644 4.9 1.2 .6 .3 6.3
2021–22 Washington 82* 8 24.2 .432 .317 .757 5.2 2.0 .7 .5 8.4
2022–23 Washington 76 40 26.6 .437 .297 .739 6.4 2.8 .9 .4 9.2
2023–24 Washington 75 75 30.1 .506 .374 .740 7.2 3.8 .8 .5 14.7
Career 287 155 26.2 .457 .327 .737 6.0 2.5 .8 .4 9.8

EuroLeague

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Source: euroleague.net[66][67]

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2018–19 Maccabi Tel Aviv 8 0 6.4 .444 .500 1.000 1.5 .3 .1 .0 3.9 3.0
2019–20 26 5 14.3 .436 .277 .556 2.6 1.2 .4 .2 4.0 3.9
Career 34 5 12.4 .438 .316 .600 2.4 .9 .3 .2 4.0 3.5

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Deni Avdija". NBA.com. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Deni Avdija". Maccabi Tel Aviv. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "In Deni Avdija's world, basketball is a 24/7 obsession". FIBA. 20 July 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  4. ^ Griver, Simon (31 March 2020). "Avdija tipped to be no. 1 in NBA draft". The Jewish Chronicle. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Sachs, Frankie (23 October 2019). "Conversation with Deni Avdija, Maccabi". EuroLeague. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  6. ^ a b "מניה בצמיחה / דני אבדיה הוא הדבר הבא" (in Hebrew). Ynet. 18 July 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  7. ^ "בפעם הרביעית ברציפות: קבוצת הנוער של מכבי ת"א זכתה באליפות" (in Hebrew). Ynet. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  8. ^ "Jokic, Vucevic Headline Basketball Without Borders Europe 2018". NBA. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  9. ^ Djordjevic, Stefan (18 August 2018). "Deni Avdija named Basketball Without Borders MVP". EuroHoops. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  10. ^ Hein, David (28 January 2019). "Maccabi's Avdija is just #LivingTheDream". Euroleague Basketball Next Generation Tournament. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  11. ^ Gay, Carlan (18 February 2019). "Deni Avdija, Aaliyah Mckenzie Edwards take home MVP at Basketball Without Borders Global 2019". NBA.com. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  12. ^ "MVP Nakic of Real Madrid headlines All-Tournament Team". Euroleague Basketball Next Generation Tournament. 19 May 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  13. ^ Carchia, Emiliano (5 November 2017). "Maccabi Tel Aviv signs prospect Deni Avdija to a six-year contract". Sportando. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  14. ^ "Winner League, Game 7: Nes Ziona Vs M. Tel-Aviv". Israeli Premier League. 19 November 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  15. ^ "חי את החלום – דני אבדיה בראיון" (in Hebrew). Maccabi Tel Aviv. 7 February 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  16. ^ "Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv vs. Fenerbahce BEKO Istanbul – Game". EuroLeague. 22 November 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  17. ^ "Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv vs. Valencia Basket – Game". EuroLeague. 24 October 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  18. ^ "Winner League, Game 15: U-NET Holon Vs M. Tel-Aviv". Israeli Premier League. 11 January 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  19. ^ "שחקן החודש הישראלי: דני אבדיה" (in Hebrew). Israeli Premier League. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  20. ^ "Winner League, Game 18: Hapoel Yossi Avrahami Eilat Vs M. Tel-Aviv". Israeli Premier League. 1 February 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  21. ^ "Hunter lifts Maccabi at finish over Fenerbahce". EuroLeague. 7 February 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  22. ^ EuroLeague [@EuroLeague] (19 July 2020). "Here it is... The @7DAYSBasketball Magic Moment of the 2019/20 season The Deni Avdija Poster Jam" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  23. ^ Givony, Jonathan (16 April 2020). "Potential top-five pick Deni Avdija seeks entry to 2020 NBA draft". ESPN. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  24. ^ "Deni Avdija erupts with 23 points in Israeli League's return". EuroHoops. 21 June 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  25. ^ "Dorsey, Avdija step up and lift shorthanded Maccabi over Hapoel to win the series". EuroHoops. 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  26. ^ Askounis, Johnny (28 July 2020). "Deni Avdija plays last game in Europe, wins championship". EuroHoops. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  27. ^ Lupo, Nicola (28 July 2020). "Deni Avdija named Israeli league MVP, youngest to win award in league history". Sportando. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  28. ^ "Deni Avdija named Winner League's Israeli Player of the Year". EuroHoops. 26 July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  29. ^ "Deni Avdija Player Profile". RealGM. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  30. ^ "Wizards select Deni Avdija No. 9 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft". nba.com. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  31. ^ "NBA Draft 2020: Five things to know about Deni Avdija, drafted 9th overall by the Wizards". eu.usatoday.com. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  32. ^ Braziller, Zach (19 November 2020). "Deni Avdija falls in 2020 NBA Draft but still makes Israeli history". New York Post. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  33. ^ "OFFICIALLY SIGNED!". Washington Wizards twitter account. 1 December 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  34. ^ "Wizards' Deni Avdija: Fired up and excited to play in world's best league". jpost.com. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  35. ^ Keyser, Zachary (10 January 2021). "Israeli NBA phenom Deni Avdija posts career-high night vs. Miami Heat". The Jerusalem Post.
  36. ^ Owens, Jason (21 April 2021). "Wizards rookie Deni Avdija reportedly suffers broken ankle on gruesome fall". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  37. ^ "Curry finally goes cold, Beal rallies Wizards past Warriors". ESPN.com. 21 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  38. ^ "Kuzma scores 23, Wizards deal Pistons 8th straight loss". ESPN. 14 February 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  39. ^ "Deni Avdija 2021-22 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  40. ^ Askew, Luke (11 January 2023). "Recap: 41-point third quarter, Kuzma's late-game heroics push Wizards past Bulls 100-97". nba.com. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  41. ^ "Wizards' Deni Avdija: Tallies game-high 25 points". CBSSports.com. 31 January 2023. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023.
  42. ^ "Wizards' Avdija agrees to 4-year, $55M extension". ESPN.com. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  43. ^ Pagaduan, Jedd (14 February 2024). "Wizards' Deni Avdija gives fans hope for future with insane statistical feat". ClutchPoints. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  44. ^ "Deni Avdija | Portland Trail Blazers". www.nba.com. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  45. ^ "TRAIL BLAZERS ACQUIRE DENI AVDIJA". NBA.com. 6 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  46. ^ a b Wawrzyńczuk, Bronisław (25 September 2018). "Zadar Basketball Tournament Interview: Deni Avdija". Eurospects. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  47. ^ "Avdija in the 2017 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship". FIBA. 19 August 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  48. ^ "2017 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship Players Statistics". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  49. ^ Halickman, Joshua (20 July 2018). "Latest Israeli hoops protégé Deni Avdija finding his wings". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  50. ^ "Israel swingman Zoosman snatches up MVP honors". FIBA. 22 July 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  51. ^ "Avdija in the 2018 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship". FIBA. 22 July 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  52. ^ "FIBA U18 Division B – Top Performers". Eurohopes. 10 December 2018. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  53. ^ "Deni Avdija completes MVP tournament with strong showing". EuroHoops. 21 July 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  54. ^ "Deni Avdija puts on a show as Israel moves to Final". EuroHoops. 20 July 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  55. ^ "Avdija powers Israel to the top of U20 European Championship". EuroHoops. 21 July 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  56. ^ "Israel v Germany boxscore – FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers". FIBA. 21 February 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  57. ^ "Avdija shines bright as Israel complete perfect first window". FIBA. 24 February 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  58. ^ Friedmann, Liran (17 November 2020). "Israeli hooper Avdija set to make NBA history in coming draft". ynetnews.com. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  59. ^ a b Schmitz, Mike (29 July 2019). "Deni Avdija could be a polarizing top draft prospect in 2020". ESPN. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  60. ^ a b Weitzman, Yaron (15 November 2019). "'We've Never Had a Talent Like Him'". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  61. ^ Cramer, Philissa (14 October 2024). "Israeli Deni Avdija sits out Yom Kippur NBA preseason game; Jewish BYU football player suits up". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  62. ^ "Maccabi Tel Aviv pens long-term deal with Deni Avdija". EuroHoops. 5 November 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  63. ^ Halickman, Joshua (1 April 2020). "Israeli basketball phenom Deni Avdija drafted into IDF". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  64. ^ Keene, Louis (31 March 2022). "Deni Avdija wrote "Am Yisrael Chai" on his shoes. Then he played one of his best games of the year". The Forward. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  65. ^ "Deni Avdija learned English from 'Call of Duty' and Nickelodeon Shows". NBC Sports. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  66. ^ "Avdija, Deni". EuroLeague. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  67. ^ "Avdija, Deni". EuroLeague. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
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