San Antonio Spurs: Deni Avdija fondly remembers meeting Popovich

Deni Avdija remembers meeting the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs

Of all the draft prospects in the 2020 draft class, there is one who has captured the attention of San Antonio Spurs fans from the very beginning.

Deni Avdija is a super talented forward from Isreal who many view as a top-five pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Given his projected position, the odds of him ending up with the San Antonio Spurs are pretty low. But a chance meeting with the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs is still a fond one for Avdija.

Long before he was a projected top-five pick, Avdija was just another international player trying to get exposure at a Basketball Without Borders camp. While he was there he happened to run into Gregg Popovich. The meeting between the two was captured on film and brought up to Avdija recently.

Avdija compliments Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs

Jeff Garcia with NEWS4SA captured Avdija’s comments as he talked about what it was like to meet Popovich and how it would be funny if their paths crossed again in the NBA.

“Gregg Popovich is a great coach He’s been in the NBA for many years. That photo still sits there. I look at it sometimes. Get some memories. That was a cool picture. The Spurs are a great organization. Wherever I go I’m grateful and I’m blessed but it would be funny (to play for Popovich) for sure.”

Spurs fans have been head over heels for the idea of Avdija playing for Gregg Popovich and the Spurs. To hear him even hint at the possibility of playing for San Antonio is music to our ears.

As talented as other players like Killian Hayes and Precious Achiuwa are, they wouldn’t fit nearly as well with San Antonio right now and in the future as Avdija would. He’s a phenomenal playmaker who would also give the Spurs another strong scoring option in their frontcourt.

As exciting as the idea of Avdija wearing a San Antonio Spurs jersey is, it’s likely a pipedream. There’s a slim chance that he falls to pick 11 so unless the Spurs trade up he’ll be gone long before they’re on the clock.