Nba

Israeli NBA star Deni Avdija presented with award during Jerusalem real estate fair in NYC

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion praised Avdija for representing the State of Israel as a public figure in the US and for bringing pride to Jews and Israelis worldwide. 

|ByMAYA ZANGER-NADIS
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion presents NBA star Deni Avdija with the "Jerusalem Ambassador in the Diaspora" award in New York City on May 28, 2026.
Jason Collins huddles with the Nets before playing the Washington Wizards in 2014.

Jason Collins, first openly gay active NBA player, dies at 47

"We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma," the family said in a statement.

|ByREUTERS
Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies power forward Brandon Clarke (15) warms up before the game against the Washington Wizards at FedExForum, Dec 20, 2025.

Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke dies at age 29

Clarke's death was announced Tuesday by the Grizzlies and his representation, Priority Sports.

|ByREUTERS
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS Israeli forward Deni Avdija drives on Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie for two of his game-high 41 points in the Blazers’ 114-110 victory

Blazers ride Avdija's late heroics to play-in victory over Suns

Avdija's ability to control the game stood out as much as the scoring. Avdija shot 15-of-22 from the field, added 12 assists, and dictated the tempo throughout his 38 minutes on the court.

|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF

Between war and wins: Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Euroleague playoff push fueled by resilience - interview

Recently, Maccabi General Manager Claudio Coldebella spoke with Giuseppe Nigro of La Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy, sharing some of the successes he has experienced this season.

APRIL 2, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
CLAUDIO COLDEBELLA reflects on Maccabi Tel Aviv’s turbulent season as the club battles adversity on and off the court in its push toward the Euroleague playoffs.

Maccabi Tel Aviv keeps Play-In hopes alive

With five games left in the Euroleague, the yellow-and-blue are within striking distance but need all hands on deck.

MARCH 31, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
OSHAE BRISSETT has been rising to the moment, delivering several clutch performances to keep Maccabi Tel Aviv firmly in the Euroleague Play-In race.

Blue-and-white in Brooklyn: Avdija, Saraf shine during historic night for Israeli hoops

Thousands of Israeli and Jewish fans packed the arena in Brooklyn, turning it into a sea of blue and white, as three Israelis shared the same NBA court for the very first time.

MARCH 17, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
BROOKLYN NETS rookie guard Ben Saraf drives for a layup against fellow Israeli Deni Avdija of the Portland Trail Blazers during their teams’ duel in New York.

Avdija leaves Blazers’ victory over Suns just one minute in with back injury

During Portland’s second offensive possession, Avdija felt discomfort while backing down his defender in the post. Almost immediately, he signaled that something wasn’t right.

FEBRUARY 24, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS Israeli forward Deni Avdija heads to the locker room after suffering an injury against the Phoenix Suns early in the first half on Sunday night.

Deni Avdija’s all-star moment: A political dtatement in disguise - opinion

In today’s Western cultural institutions, Israeli visibility rarely exists in neutral space.

FEBRUARY 23, 2026ByLINDA ARGALGI SADACKA
Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets and Team USA Stripes shoots against Deni Avdija #8 of the Toronto Raptors and Team World during the 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome on February 15, 2026 in Inglewood, California.

Spike Lee says pro-Palestinian NBA All-Star Game outfit not meant as dig against Deni Avdija

Lee wore a keffiyeh-patterned sweater and a bag strap with Palestinian flag badges. Critics claimed he specifically chose the outfit because of the presence of Israel's first All-Star Game player.

FEBRUARY 18, 2026ByPHILISSA CRAMER/JTA
Spike Lee at the 2026 NBA All-Star Game held at the Intuit Dome on Feb. 15, 2026 in Los Angeles.

Spike Lee, Kyrie Irving wear pro-Palestinian outfits to NBA All-Star Game featuring Israeli player

Lee wore a keffiyeh-patterned sweater and flag badges while Irving wore a Wear the Peace "PRESS" shirt, which was "dedicated to our beloved journalists in Gaza, showing the world the truth."

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByPHILISSA CRAMER/JTA
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Spike Lee and John Tesh watch during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome.

'I heard great things': LeBron James faces backlash after praising Deni Avdija, Israel

The Los Angeles Lakers forward said he heard "nothing but great things" about Israel while discussing Avdija, the first Israeli to feature in the NBA All-Star Game.

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Portland, Oregon, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket during the second half against Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) at Moda Center, Feb 20, 2025.

The backlash to Lebron James' praise of Israel is jarring, but predictable - comment

Lebron James was answering a question about Deni Avdija, the first Israeli to feature in an NBA All-Star Game, when he made positive comments about Israel, prompting the online criticism.

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByALEX C. MICHAEL
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team USA Stripes forward LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball in game four against Team Stars during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome.

Israeli basketball star Deni Avdija makes history at the NBA All-Star Game

"It's a dream come true," Avdija said before the tournament, holding his Team World uniform with the Israeli flag and his number 8. 

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets and Team USA Stripes shoots against Deni Avdija #8 of the Toronto Raptors and Team World during the 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome on February 15, 2026 in Inglewood, California.