Deni Avdija shares the difficulty: "I'm dying to get out"
In a special panel alongside Gal Gadot and Rotem Sela, Deni Avdija shared his habits on flights, the physical difficulty of a standard seat, and the surprising confession about the cosmetic product he always keeps in his personal bag.
When one of Israel's most successful sports exports meets at a launch event with a pair of industry stars, the result is an entertaining panel. As part of a collaboration with the airline El Al, NBA star Deni Avdija appeared alongside Gal Gadot and Rotem Sela for a lighthearted conversation about flights, strange habits in the sky, and childhood dreams.
Although experienced Hollywood and television stars were present on set, it was Avdija, who stands at about 2.06 meters tall, who provided the amusing quotes regarding the flight experience of a person of his dimensions.
When the participants were asked who among them stands up first the moment the plane lands, even before it is permitted to unbuckle seatbelts, Avdija did not hesitate and admitted immediately that it was him. The reason, as one might guess, is purely physical. He shared:
"Listen, it's hard for me on planes. It's crowded, the legs, I'm dying to get out."
For a basketball player who spends a significant part of the NBA season on the road, the standard airplane seat is simply not a comfortable option. When asked about his sleeping habits on long flights, he explained: "It depends. I need a seat with legroom because I don't fit in a regular seat. But when I'm really, really tired, I fall asleep for about 3–4 hours, and then I watch all the movies."
Alongside the physical difficulties experienced by a person of his height on planes, Avdija surprised the interviewer when asked to reveal one item he always makes sure to take with him in his carry-on bag that no one would guess. "You won't believe me, but a face mask! The plane is very drying. I think it will surprise a lot of people," he said with a smile.
Avdija, who participated alongside Lior Raz in a special safety video for the campaign, was also asked what is more stressful: a decisive free throw in the last second of an NBA game in front of tens of thousands of spectators, or remembering lines on a film set. Regarding the experience of acting in front of the camera, he said: "Listen, I was with Lior, so he helped me. He is more of an actor, he understands the matters. I'm not that used to acting, but the truth is it was fine. The production did a good job, they made me feel comfortable."
Towards the end of the panel, Avdija was asked about his feelings regarding the cockpit and flying planes, and there he revealed a small corner of his childhood: "Honestly, it was my dream to be a pilot when I was a kid. I would like to fulfill a dream."
