Overview
- Avdija was chosen by Western Conference coaches as a reserve, marking the first All-Star selection for an Israeli player.
- He drew more than 2.2 million fan votes but did not start, reflecting the split between fan balloting for starters and coaches’ picks for reserves.
- The 25-year-old is in his second season with Portland after four years in Washington, and he was recently named a Western Conference Player of the Week.
- In December he surpassed Omri Casspi to become Israel’s all-time leading NBA scorer, underscoring the national significance noted by Israeli basketball officials.
- Reports place the All-Star event in Los Angeles in mid-February, though outlets differ on the exact date and a revised format featuring international and U.S. teams.