Zufer Avdija

Zufer Avdija (Serbian: Зуфер Авдија, Hebrew: זופר אבדיה‎; born October 1, 1959[1]) is a Serbian–Israeli professional basketball coach and former player. 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.

Zufer Avdija

Avdija in 2015.
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 Men's basketball Representing  Yugoslavia FIBA World Championship 1982 Colombia Team Mediterranean Games 1983 Morocco Team

Playing career

A 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.[3]

In the 1990s, Avdija played for Israeli clubs:[1] Ramat HaSharon, Hapoel Herzliya, Rishon LeZion, Hapoel Tel Aviv, and Elitzur Bat Yam.[4]

National team career

Avdija 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.[5] 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.[6]

Also, Avdija won the gold medal at the 1983 Mediterranean Games in Morocco. He played 50 games for the national team.[7]

Personal life

Avdija was born in Pristina, SAP Kosovo, FPR Yugoslavia. He is of ethnic Gorani descent (from Gora in southern Kosovo) and is a Muslim. When he was 15 he briefly played football as a goalkeeper for Ramiz Sadiku youth team in Pristina.[2]

He is married to Sharon Artzi, an Israeli Jew from Kibbutz Beit Zera, who is a former track and field athlete and basketball player.[8] Their Israeli-born son, Deni (born 2001), is also a professional basketball player. Deni has been drafted as the 9th overall pick by the Washington Wizards in the 2020 NBA draft. He also represents the Israel national team internationally.[9]

See also

• List of KK Crvena zvezda players with 100 games played

References

1. Zufer Avdija at Israeli Basketball
2. "Zufer Avdija, košarkaš koji obećava". yugopapir.com. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
3. "Avdija: Deni zbog vojske nije mogao da izabere Srbiju". sportklub.rs. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
4. http://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Zufer-Avdija/Israel/Elitzur_Bat_Yam/7265
5. "Yugoslavia Roster at 1982 World Championship". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
6. "1982 Yugoslavia #9 - Zufer Avdija". fiba.basketball. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
7. "ZUFER AVDIJA POMAŽE: Evo gde Zvezda treba da traži pobedu protiv Makabija". kosarka.hotsport.rs. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
8. Weitzman, Yaron (15 November 2019). "'We've Never Had a Talent Like Him'". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
9. "Zadar Basketball Tournament Interview: Deni Avdija". eurospects.com. Retrieved 27 July 2020.