Welcome to the life of a young NBA player who also found time to play for the Israel national team this summer, hit the beach, and maintain his good sense of humor. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cThe off-season was great. I had time to work on my game and body,\u201d said Avdija, referring to his experience playing in the EuroBasket 2022 tournament while also visiting with family and friends at the beach. <\/p>\n
\u201cI got lots of experience in the off-season and I enjoyed the experience playing on the national team. We all enjoyed it,\u201d he said while admitting, \u201cI thought we\u2019d advance higher. Unfortunately, we came up short.\u201d <\/p>\n
Israel won two close games against Finland and the Netherlands but lost to Poland, Serbia and the Czech Republic. <\/p>\n
Avdija got off to a slow start as he tested positive for COVID-19 and wasn\u2019t able to fly with his team to Georgia for three exhibition games before the tournament. Yet the 6\u20199\u201d (2.06 meter) tall small forward still managed to lead Israel in points, rebounds and assists at EuroBasket. <\/p>\n
Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard said he is fond of international basketball. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think FIBA competition simulates as much stress and pressure as you can put on a player outside the NBA playoffs. We want all of our players to compete for their countries,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
After seeing Avdija play in Prague, Sheppard said the leadership experience provided him with more confidence than the Wizards have seen from him yet. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was nice to see Tommy come and show his support,\u201d Avdija added. <\/p>\n
Avdija had a great summer in Israel with family and friends. \u201cI was chilling, drinking some good wine, enjoying the sun,\u201d he playfully told the media. \u201cYou don\u2019t need more than that!\u201d <\/p>\n
He then offered, \u201cI trained on the beach too.\u201d Avdija explained that he devoted time this summer to gaining confidence in his shot, and to \u201cplaying more physical.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the media session, Avdija reflected on his expectations of himself. \u201cI want to improve my shots, the pick and roll, creating for others, being more confident and knowing where to be on the court.\u201d <\/p>\n
Avdija said he is excited to play with new and returning Wizards teammates. \u201cI feel like these are great guys and the chemistry can be great.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sheppard noted that 14 of the 16 rostered players worked out together in Los Angeles this summer. The only two who didn\u2019t join the squad were Avdija and Kristaps Porzingis, who were playing for their national teams\u2014Israel and Latvia, respectively. <\/p>\n
Avdija and the Wizards will soon be off to Japan for the two exhibition games, the NBA Japan Games 2022, at Saitama Super Arena outside Tokyo on Sept. 30 and Oct. 2. <\/p>\n
It will mark the Wizards\u2019 first trip to Japan and the league\u2019s 15th and 16th games in the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are so honored to represent the NBA and the wonderful game of basketball in front of an audience of Japanese fans,\u201d said Ted Leonsis, founder and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Washington Wizards as well as the NHL\u2018s Washington Capitals.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are particularly excited to watch [Wizards forward] Rui Hachimura play in front of his fellow Japanese citizens,\u201d Leonsis said. <\/p>\n
Hachimura said he was excited to bring Wizards basketball to Japan.<\/p>\n
\u201cI cannot wait to see the arena filled with fans getting to see NBA basketball in person,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Avdija is clearly excited about the team\u2019s trip to Japan. He recently posted a playful video <\/a>asking teammates, \u201cWhich Wizards player would you want to sit next to on the flight to Japan?\u201d <\/p>\nIt is unclear whether he will actually play in these games as he is nursing the groin injury he suffered during last month\u2019s EuroBasket tournament. \u201cI am still dealing with a little bit of [groin] discomfort,\u201d he reported at Media Day.<\/p>\n
But Avdija, who made a complete recovery following a fractured right ankle suffered in a game in April 2021, is confident that he will be playing soon. \u201cThe doctor and the trainers will do their best to get me healthy and on the court ASAP. I trust them!\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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