Deni Avdija Shares Incredible Childhood Pics After NBA All-Star Shocker
From a small boy with a big dream to NBA All-Star, Dani Avdija just made history as the first Israeli ever selected, and he's not done yet.
Deni Avdija made history Sunday night when he was named to the NBA All-Star roster, becoming the first Israeli player ever to earn a spot in the league's most prestigious mid-season showcase.
The selection came off the back of what has been a breakout season for the 23-year-old forward, who has established himself as a meaningful contributor in the league. Avdija will join a roster that includes some of the NBA's biggest names, among them Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Victor Wembanyama, Sheila Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray, and Pascal Siakam. He is set to play on a team composed of international players.
The news prompted an outpouring of emotion from Avdija, who turned to Instagram to share a series of childhood photos and videos, offering a window into the early years of a player who has come a long way. He captioned the post simply: "A small boy with a big dream."
In a separate message to his followers, Avdija spoke candidly about the journey. The early mornings, the hard work, the sleepless nights, he urged young people not to let anyone stand in the way of their ambitions. "With my dear Israel, I love you," he wrote. "Your support helped me achieve a dream."
Avdija also reflected on the personal significance of the honor in an interview with American television. "It was incredible to hear that I'm an All-Star alongside my teammates," he said. "I couldn't have done it without them, without the coaches and the staff who have been with me this season. It's an amazing personal achievement, and I hope there are more to come."
He added that the road was not always easy. "I started playing basketball without a dream," he said. "I let the game take me forward. It's hard to believe I'm managing to achieve one thing after another. It definitely moves me."
The selection carries financial rewards as well. Players on the winning All-Star team last year received $125,000, while those on the losing side took home $50,000.
Thousands of Israeli fans flooded Avdija's social media with messages of pride, and the achievement was widely seen as a landmark not only for the player but for the country's growing presence on the global sports stage.