“Been a long time since I was moved like this,” Deni wrote on Instagram.
After an NBA game between the Washington Wizards and the Atlanta Hawks, Israeli basketball player Deni Avdija, who plays for the Wizards, participated in an emotionally charged moment.
Members of Atlanta’s Jewish community spontaneously started singing the Israeli national anthem, Hatikvah, and Avdija joined them, draping an Israeli flag over his shoulders. His fans further demonstrated their support by chanting “Am Yisrael Chai” during the game.
The sole current NBA player born in Israel, shared this moving experience on his Instagram Story, expressing how deeply it affected him.
Deni Avdija scored a season-high 22 points tonight against the Atlanta Hawks.
After the game, fans from Atlanta’s Jewish community joined Deni to sing Hatikvah as he wrapped himself in the Israeli flag.
“Been a long time since I was moved like this,” Deni wrote on IG. pic.twitter.com/HuFLsvGP4H
— Louis Keene (@thislouis) November 2, 2023