Deni Avdija: "I am not willing to have my commitment to the Israel national team and the country questioned"

Deni Avdija responded today, Monday, for the first time to the criticism leveled at him for not being included in the Israel national team roster for the current window of the World Cup qualifiers, and clarified that his commitment to the national team and the country has never been in doubt.

In a post published on his Instagram account, the star of the Israel national team and the Portland Trail Blazers wrote:

"I usually don't feel the need to explain myself, but this time it is important for me to say a few words. Anyone who knows me and my path with the Israel national team knows what this jersey means to me."

Avdija, who played with the national team in the last EuroBasket but has not taken part in the World Cup qualifiers so far, emphasized that over the years he has shown up for the national team even in situations where it was not simple from a professional or physical standpoint:

"I came to the national team when I was in pain. I came when I was not at 100%. I came in summers when perhaps the 'right' thing for my personal career would have been to rest. I came even when I was facing a contract year, at a time when any injury could change a career. I never looked for an excuse not to come. On the contrary. As long as I could wear the Israel jersey and step onto the court, I was there."

The Israeli star explained that this time too, his desire was to be with the national team, but his medical condition and the position of his team, Portland, prevented it:

"This time I wanted to be there just as much. But this summer I dealt with a complex back injury. An injury that anyone who hasn't gone through it can't really understand what it requires, and the decision not to participate in this window was not a decision I made alone. Portland was not willing to take a risk with my health, and in the situation that arose, I simply did not have the option to go out and play."

The national team, as is known, lost yesterday for the sixth time in the qualifiers — 85:70 to Latvia — and lost any chance of being in the World Cup. Avdija added that he understands the disappointment and criticism, but asked not to question his loyalty to the national team:

"I understand disappointment. I understand criticism. When you represent a country and there are expectations of you, it's part of the deal and I accept it. But one thing I am not willing to have questioned is my commitment to the national team and my country. I don't need to tell how much I care. I think I have proven it time after time with actions."

He concluded:

"There is nothing I want more than to be healthy, to return to the court and to wear the Israel jersey again. And until then, even when I cannot be on the parquet, my heart is there."