Maccabi Tel Aviv will auction off the jersey NBA All-Star Deni Avdija wore in his final appearance for the club, marking the first official memorabilia auction in team history, the basketball club announced Wednesday.
The blue Nike uniform was worn during the 2020 Winner League final, when Avdija helped secure an 86-81 victory and was named League MVP. The game marked the end of his Israeli career before he was selected in the 2020 NBA Draft later that year.
The auction will open Thursday at 5 p.m. Israel time on the club’s official online store, with bidding set to close Sunday at 6 p.m., hours before Avdija is set to become the first Israeli to play in the NBA All-Star Game. The starting bid is NIS 5,000.
The jersey, size 54 (+2 length), is game-worn, hand-signed by Avdija, and accompanied by official club certification.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS forward Deni Avdija (8) scores a basket during the first half against Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS forward Deni Avdija (8) scores a basket during the first half against Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. (credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images)
10% of proceeds to be donated to Israeli charity, Maccabi says
In a nod to Avdija’s roots in the club’s youth academy, 10% of the proceeds will be donated to Variety Israel, which supports children with special needs from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Club officials described the item as a “historic piece of Israeli basketball,” linking Avdija’s Maccabi legacy with his continued rise on the NBA stage.