Deni Avdija - 2020 draft

[jpatrick]

Any measurements out there? Reach, wingspan, etc.

[raleigh]

Any measurements out there? Reach, wingspan, etc.

Yes, but they're poor. https://www.thestepien.com/2020/01/28/deni-avdija-scouting-report-2/

I wonder if he'll slip like Clarke did last year?

[jpatrick]

Any measurements out there? Reach, wingspan, etc.

Yes, but they're poor. https://www.thestepien.com/2020/01/28/deni-avdija-scouting-report-2/

I wonder if he'll slip like Clarke did last year?

Thank you. The Stepien cites Eurospects for those numbers so I went there. His profile shows that the measurements were from the 2018 Euro BWB, which was two years ago. Plus, they only show barefoot numbers (6’ 7.5” height; 6’ 9” WS; 8’ 4.5” Reach). Assuming all those were taken barefoot, his measurements, even without any growth in the last two years, probably are about 6’9” height with an 8’6” reach. Not great but not insanely bad for a combo forward.

Edit: in this article from last July, Mike Schmitz says Avdija had a 8’10” standing reach.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27281239/deni-avdija-polarizing-top-draft-prospect-2020

[SwipeDaFox]

The reason I think he will get drafted really high is I really think he is a player who will be very close to maximizing his potential.

His hard work and dedication to the game, and strive to get better and become great, is not something you often see from a teenager who just turned 19.

This to me is the biggest takeaway I would have if I were to scout him on/off the court.

Also the fact he pretty easily managed to carve himself a role on a Euroleague contending team while finding and focusing new elements in his game that he can contribute in and strengthening them (Defense, Catch&Shoot 3s, Off ball cutter) while being 18 is just amazing - considering prior to this he had the ball in his hands all his life, and hardly ever played off the ball as much, and always was the guy who made all the decisions and took all the responsibility.

That ability to adjust to roles, and also his ability to play a lead role with Israel U-20 - It's extremely encouraging and also points to a high feel for the game and basketball IQ.

I'm just loving what I see from him the last 2 months and specifically the last month. He is simply killin' it and not looking back.

His progress is quite simply remarkable.

[SwipeDaFox]

Continuing his fantastic form in the Israeli League yesterday.

20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 asts, a steal and a block in 33 minutes - including 4/5 from 3pt land.

Watch on YouTube

[SwipeDaFox]

Nice 1 on 1 with Mike Schmitz breaking down film of his game.

Great insights there.

Watch on YouTube

[Mirotic12]

Any measurements out there? Reach, wingspan, etc.

His team lists him at,

Height: 6'9"
Weight: 219 lbs.

If you are wondering, most players in Europe (at least not American players) are listed by their barefoot height.

The reason I think he will get drafted really high is I really think he is a player who will be very close to maximizing his potential.

His hard work and dedication to the game, and strive to get better and become great, is not something you often see from a teenager who just turned 19.

This to me is the biggest takeaway I would have if I were to scout him on/off the court.

Also the fact he pretty easily managed to carve himself a role on a Euroleague contending team while finding and focusing new elements in his game that he can contribute in and strengthening them (Defense, Catch&Shoot 3s, Off ball cutter) while being 18 is just amazing - considering prior to this he had the ball in his hands all his life, and hardly ever played off the ball as much, and always was the guy who made all the decisions and took all the responsibility.

That ability to adjust to roles, and also his ability to play a lead role with Israel U-20 - It's extremely encouraging and also points to a high feel for the game and basketball IQ.

I'm just loving what I see from him the last 2 months and specifically the last month. He is simply killin' it and not looking back.

His progress is quite simply remarkable.

He actually didn't do much of anything at all in EuroLeague with Maccabi until the last couple of games, when he was 19.

[JustMagic]

He has bust written all over him. Shorter version of Dragan Bender.

???
Because they come from the same team?
The funny thing is Bender was considered a bust while playing here in Israel. He came to Israel from Croatia at 17 y/o as a huge prospect, but a year later he was still clueless most of the games even in the Israeli league. Every one here laughed when he was drafted so high.

Avdija is a totally different player. Whenever he got the chance he contributed and adapted to the level of play very fast. He has tons of confidence and a strong character.

[JustMagic]

Maybe I missed it, but no-one posted his huge poster dunk on Datome in Maccabi's Euroleague game vs Fenerbahche??

Watch on YouTube

[SwipeDaFox]

Read on Twitter

[DaddyCool19]

Why is he such a bad free throw shooter? I looked his free throw numbers up at Tel Aviv and the national team and he is only making like 56% on over 350 free throw attempts if the numbers on realgm are right.

[BlazersBroncos]

Ya, if he remains a 35%+ 3PT shooter w/ such bad FT the only precedent for that would be Nick Anderson unless I am mistaken.

[SwipeDaFox]

It's really not something I can understand or rationalize.

Maybe the mental game is the problem, and not having a permanent FT routine.

I want to believe that it will scale upwards to 70% with age and his confidence rising - but his FT situation makes absolutely zero sense to me.

[JustMagic]

He thinks to much.

[SwipeDaFox]

3 games in a row with double digit points in the Euroleague for Deni.

Had 10 points and 5 rebounds today in 18 minutes off the bench in a Maccabi win over Valencia on the road.

Averaging 11.3 points(52% FG/ 43% 3pt), 5.5 rebounds, 2 assists and a block in 21 minutes over the last 3 games against great competition playing for a top 5 Euroleague team.

[Marcus]

3 games in a row with double digit points in the Euroleague for Deni.

Had 10 points and 5 rebounds today in 18 minutes off the bench in a Maccabi win over Valencia on the road.

Averaging 11.3 points(52% FG/ 43% 3pt), 5.5 rebounds, 2 assists and a block in 21 minutes over the last 3 games against great competition playing for a top 5 Euroleague team.

appreciate the update. Please keep us posted if you can.

[Pistol King]

Had 10 points and 5 rebounds today in 18 minutes off the bench in a Maccabi win over Valencia on the road.

His offensive highlights from this game appears in the first 38 seconds of this video:

Read on Twitter

[Pistol King]

Dude continues his impressive shape

Read on Twitter

[SwipeDaFox]

Awesome game from the kid.

His improvement is just incredible. You can see the confidence rising each and every game - and again the way he impacts the game is while playing SF and not really showing his playmaking potential, which he has in abundance.

Watch on YouTube

[GimmeDat]

Hit your FT's already Deni

Otherwise very much in on him