"Jew who Steals Things": Deni Avjida Faces a Wave of Hate From Turkey
From "thieving Jew" slurs to threats of court-side assaults: The NBA All-Star selection sparks a toxic geopolitical firestorm on social media.
While Israel is basking in the glow of Deni Avdija’s historic selection as the first-ever Israeli NBA All-Star, the mood across the Mediterranean is one of toxic rage. In Turkey, the decision by NBA coaches to leave Houston Rockets star Alperen Şengün off the roster in favor of Avdija has triggered a disturbing wave of antisemitism and personal attacks.
Social media platforms, specifically X, have been flooded with vitriol directed at the Portland Trail Blazers forward, ranging from classic tropes to outright threats of physical harm.
"Jew Who Steals Things"
The frustration in Turkey stems from the belief that Şengün, who led Turkey to the EuroBasket final last summer, was a "lock" for the All-Star reserves. When Avdija’s name appeared instead, the sports debate immediately turned ugly.
The Tape Don't Lie: A Statistical Comparison
Despite the Turkish narrative that Şengün was "robbed," the raw numbers tell a different story. NBA coaches, who selected the reserves, favored Avdija’s historic scoring and playmaking output in Portland over the Rockets’ center.
While Şengün has more "board presence" with 9.2 rebounds per game, Avdija’s 25.5 points per game (ranked 14th in the entire league) proved impossible to ignore for the All-Star voters.
More Than Just Basketball
The backlash isn't happening in a vacuum. Tensions between Israel and Turkey have reached a boiling point due to the ongoing geopolitical situation, and the NBA hardwood has become the latest proxy for that conflict. Even Şengün’s teammate, Tari Eason, joined the fray by posting a "no" GIF on Instagram in response to the selection, though he stopped short of the antisemitic rhetoric used by the fans.
For Avdija, the achievement remains untarnished by the noise. He is currently focused on the February 15th showcase in Los Angeles, where the world will see him play alongside the legends, regardless of the hate.