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Deni Avdija responds to the ‘foul-baiting’ accusations

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Darryn Albert | Last updated Apr 14, 2026 11:15 PM ET

Deni Avdija is issuing a response to the most popular criticism against him.

The Portland Trail Blazers star Avdija appeared this week on “The Young Man and the Three.” During the episode, Avdija responded to the accusation that he is supposedly a “foul-baiter.”

“I don’t think I’m a gross foul-baiter,” said Avdija. “I don’t do [that]. The pump fake, get into the body, and throw the ball up. That’s not nice. But I feel like I drive so much.”

Here is the full clip of Avdija’s remarks.

"I don't think I'm a gross foul baiter" -Deni Avdija talks drawing fouls with Donovan Clingan and Toumani Camara

NEW PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS YM3 LIVE EVERYWHERE pic.twitter.com/HdYrgowrIY
— TheOldManAndTheThree (@OldManAndThree) April 14, 2026

Avdija, 25, is in the midst of a career season with the Blazers. He was an All-Star this year and averaged career highs across the board with 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game to lead Portland to a 42-40 record (their best finish since 2020-21).

But Avdija is also a popular target for criticism with his 9.2 free throw attempts per game (second in the NBA this season behind only Luka Doncic). Detractors feel that Avdija does too much to embellish and exaggerate contact, putting the Israeli forward in a similar category as this fellow accused NBA foul-baiter.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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