After a challenging summer with the Israeli national team, Danny Avdia is preparing for the next thing: breaking through in his third season in the NBA. The Israeli forward appeared at the start of Washington’s training after the option to extend his contract was exercised, and hopes that the abilities he demonstrated in the European Championship will be a sign of things to come.
At the same time, Avdia admitted that he is still carrying a groin injury from the games in Prague, which “may limit him in the pre-season”.
“The pain will disappear as the season continues,” said Avdia, summing up the break that passed him. “The summer was great, I had time to work on my game, on my body, to improve. I simply had more time, and all the things I worked on were reflected in the Israeli national team. I had a lot of fun, I got important experience and I arrive ready for the season. In the national team I had an opportunity To lead, to accept responsibility, we thought we would go further but we didn’t succeed. I feel we did our best, and we hope we will be more successful next time.”
Avdia thanked Tommy Shepherd, the professional director of the Wizards, who followed him closely this summer and even watched him from the hall in Prague. “It’s always fun to see the general manager support you and believe in you. He gives me his back, allows me to feel at home. He does his job, I do my job, and everyone is happy,” Abdia said.
He said about the European Championship: “I was reminded of how difficult it is. Many people do not appreciate European basketball, but as someone who played both there and in the NBA, I know that the level is very high and that it is not easy. There is much less room for action, the players are really smart, Thinking about the game differently. I had to adjust myself a bit, but it was fun, it was challenging.”
Avdia looked light and relaxed in the meeting with the journalists, and according to one of them he even “made the whole room filled with journalists burst out laughing”. It happened after he was asked what he did this summer, and he replied: “I drank good wine and enjoyed the sun.”
As mentioned, the 21-year-old Avdia will start his third season in the NBA, and will try to make his way into the top five despite the reinforcements the Wizards signed in his positions. Last season Avdia averaged 8.4 points and 5.2 rebounds in 24 minutes per game.