Deni Avdija, a star NBA player for the Portland Trail Blazers, has announced he will not play on Yom Kippur.
Avdija, who was just named to The Action Network’s “Elite 100” list of the best NBA players, has decided to sit out of his team’s first pre-season game this Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, to avoid playing on Yom Kippur.
On his Instagram, Avdija wrote: “Tomorrow, on the eve of Yom Kippur, the first practice match of the upcoming games season will take place.
When the management informed me about it, it was clear to me from the first moment that I would not tell them I would not be taking part in the game.
I feel that this time the best and most correct opening of this season will be by respecting Jewish tradition and in unity with my brothers and sisters in Israel and in the world.
Basketball has been an integral part of my life from the day I can remember and I’ve always had first place, but specifically after this year that we’ve experienced I felt that there is something more important than basketball.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Chatima Tova to all of Beit Yisrael.”
{Matzav.com}