Wizards opt for versatility with Israel’s Deni Avdija at No. 9 pick

Avdija played for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Basketball Premier League, competed in the EuroLeague and has basketball in his lineage — his father played professionally. Avdija, the highest draft pick ever out of Israel, was projected by many analysts to go earlier; on air, ESPN analyst Mike Schmitz called Avdija the potential steal of the draft.

For Sheppard, Avdija’s versatility made the pick a no-brainer.

“We were very grateful he ended up falling to nine,” Sheppard said. “He’s somebody that has great potential as a wing, secondary playmaker. We think he’s just going to complement our talent, be able to play with every possible lineup we throw out there. He’s a proven player playing the highest level in Europe in the EuroLeague, but his national team experience — he’s been a known commodity since he was 16.”

Now 19 and 6-foot-9 with a guard’s ballhandling skills, Avdija should be able to bolster the Wizards’ defensive presence on the perimeter and, at times, play alongside forward Rui Hachimura, the international pick the Wizards took at No. 9 last year.

Washington loved how many different boxes he ticked. Sheppard called Avdija a “blend player,” and Wizards Coach Scott Brooks highlighted his professional experience playing in pro leagues and for the Israeli national team.

“I love his toughness. I love his IQ. As a coach, you never have to worry about a player playing hard,” Brooks said. “That’s what [Avdija] does. He steps on the court and he competes. He’s going to make our practices better and our games better. … The thing that I like is most of his career you play against guys who are older than you. He’s played against men in the leagues that he’s played in.”

The question for a Wizards team that wants to compete for a playoff spot next season is how quickly Avdija will be able to contribute. Brooks said Wednesday night he won’t shy away from giving a young player minutes, but like most prospects, the teenager will need time to adjust to the size and speed of the NBA — and on a shortened timeline, with the season set to begin Dec. 22. Training camps will be underway in just a few weeks.

On the surface, Avdija has the defensive skill set Washington sought. Offensively, both Brooks and Sheppard said he has improved his shot, a weakness most draft analysts pointed out heading into Wednesday.

“He passes the ball pretty well. He attacks the basket with a lot of force. I’ve seen some switching at a high level. … I think his experience, he’s got some good coaching with his dad being a player,” Brooks said. “I think he’s going to help us. He’s going to get some opportunities, but I’m looking forward to getting him on the practice court.”

Sheppard said repeatedly leading up to the draft the team was content taking a player who might require development if the prospect could become a franchise cornerstone.

“Extremely competitive player. Very high ceiling. Excellent potential for the future,” Sheppard said. But right now, I think he’s gonna come in and really make an impact in any possible way that he can. And I think he sees the challenge ahead of getting to know the NBA, the game speed, the athleticism and stuff. But he’s been on the circuit. Like I said, we’ve seen his national team since he was a young man.”

Avdija quipped in his first news conference as an NBA player he had to thank his Washington-based agent after the pair joked about one day being neighbors. Avdija was already thinking about meeting his future Wizards teammates while keeping his home country in his heart.

“For me to represent my country and make history, that’s a blessing,” Avdija said. “ … I never dreamed about this until this moment. It’s still a dream.”

The Wizards also acquired Michigan State all-American point guard Cassius Winston and a future second-round pick after making a deal with Oklahoma City.

Winston, a 6-1, four-year player for the Spartans, lands in Washington as one of the more polished point guards in the draft and a capable backup for John Wall, who is expected to play his first NBA games in two years after coming back from an Achilles’ injury. Winston averaged 18.6 points and shot 44.8 percent from the field and 43.2 percent from three in his final year with the Spartans.

Source: WP