Zufer Avdija (Serbian: Зуфер Авдија, Hebrew: זופר אבדיה; born October 1, 1959[1]) is a Serbian–Israeli professional basketball coach and former player who is the general manager and president of basketball operations for Bnei Herzliya of the Israeli Basketball Premier League. He played for Crvena zvezda in the Yugoslav Basketball League during the 1980s, and for Israeli clubs Ramat HaSharon, Rishon LeZion, Hapoel Tel Aviv, and Elitzur Bat Yam in the 1990s. He represented the Yugoslavia basketball team internationally. His son, Deni, is a current NBA player for the Portland Trail Blazers.
 Avdija in 2015 | |
| Bnei Herzliya | |
|---|---|
| Position | General manager |
| League | Israeli Basketball Premier League |
| Personal information | |
| Born | October 1, 1959 Priština, PR Serbia, FPR Yugoslavia |
| Nationality | Serbian / Israeli |
| Listed height | 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) |
| Career information | |
| NBA draft | 1981: undrafted |
| Playing career | 1977–1998 |
| Position | Power forward |
| Number | 9, 12, 15 |
| Career history | |
| 1977–1979 | Elektrokosovo |
| 1979–1989 | Crvena zvezda |
| 1989–1990 | Gradine Pula |
| 1990–1992 | Ramat HaSharon |
| 1992–1995 | Hapoel Herzliya |
| 1995–1996 | Rishon LeZion |
| 1996–1997 | Hapoel Tel Aviv |
| 1997–1998 | Elitzur Bat Yam |
Medals | |
Early and personal life
editAvdija was born in Priština, SAP Kosovo, PR Serbia, FPR Yugoslavia (present-day Pristina, Kosovo). He is of ethnic Gorani-Muslim descent (from Gora in southern Kosovo). When he was 15 he briefly played football as a goalkeeper for Ramiz Sadiku youth team in Pristina.[2] He married and had 2 children, a daughter Iva and a son, Andrej.[3]
He later married Sharon Artzi, an Israeli Jew from kibbutz Beit Zera, who is a former track and field athlete and basketball player.[4] Their Israeli-born son, Deni Avdija (born 2001), is also a professional basketball player. Deni was drafted as the 9th overall pick by the Washington Wizards in the 2020 NBA draft. Their son Deni also represents the Israel national team internationally.[5]
Club career
editA power forward, Avdija started his basketball career with his hometown team Elektrokosovo.[2] In 1979, he joined the Belgrade-based team Crvena zvezda of the Yugoslav Basketball League, where he played during the 1980s. He was a team captain.[6]
In the 1990s, Avdija played for Israeli clubs:[1] Ramat HaSharon, Hapoel Herzliya, Rishon LeZion, Hapoel Tel Aviv, and Elitzur Bat Yam.[7]
International career
editAvdija was a member of the Yugoslavia national team that won the bronze medal at the 1982 FIBA World Championship in Colombia, alongside teammates from Crvena zvezda, Rajko Žižić and Zoran Radović.[8] He scored his tournament-high with 24 points in a 101–77 win over Uruguay. Over four tournament games, he averaged 8.8 points per game.[9]
Additionally, Avdija also won the gold medal at the 1983 Mediterranean Games in Morocco.[citation needed] He played 50 games for the national team.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Zufer Avdija at Israeli Basketball
- ^ a b "Zufer Avdija, košarkaš koji obećava". yugopapir.com. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ Meir, Ya'akov (November 23, 2020). ""אלוהים נגע בדני, הוא נולד לאן.בי.אי"" [God touched Deni, he was born for the NBA]. Israel Hayom (in Hebrew). Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ Weitzman, Yaron (15 November 2019). "'We've Never Had a Talent Like Him'". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
- ^ "Zadar Basketball Tournament Interview: Deni Avdija". eurospects.com. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- ^ "Avdija: Deni zbog vojske nije mogao da izabere Srbiju". sportklub.rs. 4 January 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
- ^ "Zufer Avdija Player Profile, Elitzur Bat Yam, News, Stats - Eurobasket".
- ^ "Yugoslavia Roster at 1982 World Championship". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ "1982 Yugoslavia #9 - Zufer Avdija". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ "ZUFER AVDIJA POMAŽE: Evo gde Zvezda treba da traži pobedu protiv Makabija". kosarka.hotsport.rs. 18 January 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2020.