Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija is averaging 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists per game this season. He’s also exactly 25 years old. The latter stat qualifies him for ESPN’s annual 25 Best NBA Players Under 25 list. Avdija made the grade this year, coming in at #15.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps writes of Avdija:
Avdija has rewarded [Portland’s] faith with a strong case to make his first All-Star team this season. He’s also arguably the leading candidate for Most Improved Player behind a leap in points
per game (25.8, up from 16.9) while maintaining his efficiency.
On next steps, Bontemps writes:
He just has to do this again next season. Avdija already looks like a foundational performer for the Blazers. If he can continue this production and carry it over to next season, he’ll have fully ascended to a star-level wing.
San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama leads the 25 Under 25 list, followed by Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards and Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham.
