Deni Avdija made Israeli basketball history on Friday, becoming the country’s all-time leading NBA scorer as he has turned into a true star player for the Portland Trailblazers in his fifth season in the league.

While Avdija has been a solid player since entering the league in 2020, he has emerged this season as the star player on his team, and has a real chance at becoming Israel’s first-ever NBA All-Star if he keeps up his current pace.

The 24-year-old forward entered Friday’s game against the Detroit Pistons needing 30 points to surpass former Sacramento Kings forward Omri Casspi’s career tally of 4,642. Despite the loss to Detroit, Avdija scored 35 points on incredible efficiency, pushing his total to 4,648 points and cementing a new national milestone.

The achievement added to a breakout season already filled with personal highs for Avdija, who reached the record far faster than Casspi, the first Israeli ever to play in the NBA.

In the first 23 games of the 2025-2026 season, Avdija has emerged as a bona fide NBA star, leading the Blazers in nearly all statistical categories while taking on the roles of primary ball-handler, scoring option, and perimeter defensive stopper.

Now averaging 26.2 points per game, his offensive output has exploded, putting him on the same statistical plane as NBA superstars James Harden, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Cade Cunningham and Jalen Brunson.

As of Saturday, Avdija ranks as the 14th highest scoring player in the league, ahead of several all star and All NBA players. Of the 23 games he has played so far this season, he has scored more than 30 points seven times, and has two triple-doubles on the year.

While he has been an average to above-average........

© The Times of Israel