Deni Avdija shines against college players in the Israel-Auburn showcase game
Deni Avdija shines against college players in the Israel-Auburn showcase game: On Monday, Israel’s best player, Deni Avdija, found himself in an uncommon situation: facing an Auburn Tigers squad expected to finish in the top 25 in the 2018 college basketball season. The SEC Network also televised the game nationally.
Avdija was able to pass the unusual test. He appeared to be the most talented player on the court. He was also the most talented player on the court. As the game progressed, Avdija seemed to acquire more confidence and play more aggressively as a result. That’s a good thing for the Wizards, who think this experience will help him grow as an NBA player in the long run.
Player
In college, Avdija, 21, would be a rising senior. If this game is any indicator, he has what it takes to be an excellent NCAA player. Having a 6-foot-9 frame, he had a distinct advantage in speed and agility. They had to resort to fouling him since Auburn’s defense has usually been very good led by coach Bruce Pearl. A 1-on-3 fastbreak was no exception.
It was a terrific night for Avdija, who scored 25 points, most of them from the free-throw line. Layups were a challenge for him because he was able to get around defenders on a regular basis. Avdija’s dribbling to his right was noticeably better than usual. He used his right hand on nearly every one of the moves he used to go past his opponents.
Some layups Avdija missed could have been a result of contact. As well as making several solid finishes at the hoop for his team, in the third quarter, he drove from the slot and put down a one-handed slam. On that particular play, he was also fouled by the defense.
Avdija followed up with a baseline cut and a reverse slam with his right hand soon after. He also scored a dunk on a give-and-go play in the third quarter.
Avdija leaped from the free throw line to the half circle on another dunk, a fast break smash. In the second quarter, he dunks from the same distance he did in the first quarter. Avdija, who has been recovering from a fractured right ankle for the better part of a year, appeared to improve with each play.
It was quite frequent for Avdija to dunk throughout this game. A minimum of four of his dunks were on plays that counted, while the exact number is unknown at this moment. Consider the fact that he had just seven dunks for the Wizards last season.
In Monday’s exhibition, Avdija was able to display much more than just his dunking skills. At times, he was the point guard and at other times, he was a defender. Avdija set up his teammates with a succession of clever passes, but Auburn’s tough defense has a tendency to deflect the ball.
League
Avdija chipped in with a pair of deep threes. His shot release appears to be a little quicker this season than it was in the previous two seasons in the NBA. Since entering the league, he’s been working on that adjustment.
Even though Avdija didn’t score any points, there were a few plays that were encouraging. He attempted a stepback three-pointer early in the third quarter. Quick & easy but had rimmed out. He rarely, if ever, attempts this type of play in the NBA. However, if he manages to include that into his repertoire, it could be a glimpse into his future.
Against a physically and well-coached Auburn team, Avdija had to deal with traps and double-teams on a regular basis. Due to his poor start, he only scored three points in the first quarter, but he more than doubled that in the second quarter, scoring eight points to seal the victory. Avdija tallied 11 points, six rebounds, and five assists in the first half.
When Avdija played in the NBA, we rarely saw a side of him that isn’t typical because he is so young. He was a more outspoken leader, isolating members of his team to provide instruction.
Bradley Beal and Kyle Kuzma, two of the Wizards’ most seasoned NBA players, frequently fill this role. Avdija, on the other hand, has the potential to grow into that type of player over time.
Even though Avdija is not Israel’s oldest player, his NBA experience is priceless. Seeing him do that in front of his own people was fascinating.
Game
It is possible that Avdija walked away from Monday’s game with just what he needed. He excelled despite playing against lower-level opponents in a highly visible venue. The best player on the floor was obvious even if you didn’t know anything about either side prior to watching the game.
Some players gain confidence by participating in Summer League. Take, for example, Josh Giddey’s return to Las Vegas and his scorching performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
On Monday, Avdija’s game fulfilled a similar role to the Summer League, even if he never participated in it. We have no idea what this implies in the grand scheme of things. A promising sign for his future development, however, as a young player.