Deni Avdija: "I didn't dream of reaching the NBA, you need luck - not just ability"
The Portland Trail Blazers star spoke at the Israel Basketball Association's festive gala: "I tell children to believe in themselves, to dream big." Oded Kattash also spoke: "Over the years I have been privileged to coach the best, and I discovered how many layers coaching has." And also: the first class of the Israeli Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Israel Basketball Association held its annual gala evening on Wednesday at Beit Harel. Alongside national team players summoned for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, Portland Trail Blazers star Deni Avdija and Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Oded Kattash participated in a panel discussion. The event also marked the launch of the Israeli Basketball Hall of Fame, with its first inductees: Miki Berkovich, Barry Leibowitz, Aviva Balas, Aluma Goren, and Tal Brody.
Avdija, who could not join the national team due to his commitments with Portland, discussed leadership and sports as an educational tool with Kattash. "I didn't dream of reaching the NBA, but of becoming the best version of myself," said Avdija. "You need luck, not just ability. I tell children to believe in themselves, to dream big, and to reach the highest level possible." He added: "The toughest education I received was from my father. It's not about whether I scored or missed, but the path I take and how I respect the team around me. It is important to me to respect every person in the system, from the kit manager to the coach."
Kattash praised Avdija, stating: "I had the privilege of coaching him for a week. He knows how to respect his teammates and the game; it was magical to see how he influences the play." The Maccabi Tel Aviv coach also reflected on his own career: "Everyone knows my history; I didn't plan to be a coach. It was hard for me, as a player who loved having the ball in his hands, to realize that doesn't happen when you're a coach. Over the years, I have been privileged to coach the best, and I discovered how many layers coaching has. Today, to build a competitive team, you need players with the right values. The game teaches you to stay humble and how to deal with both crises and successes."
The event was also attended by Naila Ayman, the mother of Alma Ayman Fakhr al-Din, who was killed in a 2024 Hezbollah rocket strike in Majdal Shams. "She dreamed of being a basketball player and studying at Harvard," Naila shared. "Basketball was more than just a practice; it was a place of inspiration, freedom, and the values she lived by. She was a leader with a big heart." Kattash noted: "Naila's story shows us that basketball is not just a game; it is a whole world."
