When Deni Avdija was drafted in November, he probably could not have imagined the rookie experience ahead of him over the next five months that ended in agony. On April 21 against the Golden State Warriors, Avdija suffered a right fibular hairline fracture that is costing him the rest of the Wizards’ 2020-21 season. Having to be wheelchaired off the court, Avdija’s prognosis of a full recovery in approximately 12 weeks without surgery is dodging what could have been a potentially much worse bullet. The Israeli sensation is poised to return for his sophomore season next fall much improved because of the experiences he endured as a rookie.

In a normal NBA season, draft picks would know their next destinations in June and have months to prepare for the season ahead through rookie mini-camp, Summer League, and a month-long training camp. This NBA season was far more normal due to the global pandemic that forced Deni Avdija to move to a new country let alone city and start in his first NBA game in a month span. Training camp was heavily condensed and was focused on integrating Russell Westbrook into the organization, acquired even later than Avdija was drafted.

Avdija averaged 6.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per 23.3 minutes per game over his 54 contests in his rookie year. He began the season as a starter and finished that way with a stint off the bench in the middle after testing positive for COVID-19. Due to privacy concerns, the Wizards will not say which of their players were symptomatic after a six-player outbreak, but Scott Brooks had hinted that it was taking longer for Avdija to return to NBA game shape following the three-week quarantine.

Throughout all the adversity, Deni Avdija is going to become a better NBA player for years to come because of it. Bradley Beal told him in one of their first conversations, “embrace every single moment of the year.” Russell Westbrook showed him the work ethic that can propel you into an MVP candidate that will undeniably set a great base complimenting the diligence Avdija is already known for while with Maccabi. It is yet to be seen what the coaching staff will look like next year, but David Adkins has worked tirelessly on and off the court to Avdija’s benefit.

There are a number of areas where Avdija will need to improve his game including improved three-point shooting and not getting called for ticky-tack fouls that were play-ons overseas. But that should not overshadow the several instances where Avdija showcased the skills that made him a lottery prospect. His role as a spot-up shooter in the corner under Scott Brooks is not going to last forever and he will have more opportunities with the ball in his hands moving forward. Off of steals or defensive rebounds, Avdija showed multiple times throughout the season his ability to push the pace and more times than not it led to a Wizards basket in transition. He also was given less than cakewalk matchups defensively and held his own for the most part despite a limited database on the 400+ players in the NBA he needs to have a scouting report on in a constantly switching league.

Deni Avdija did not have the NBA all figured out in his rookie year, very few do, but the foundation laid will take him to higher places next season and beyond.