.png)
Every week, across several sports, players around the DMV (D.C./Maryland/Virginia) shine in individual performance. Every Monday, I’d like to take a minute to highlight some of those performances, including what I view as the best performance and name that athlete the “DMV Star of the Week.”
This week’s DMV Star of the Week is Washington Wizards Forward Deni Avdija.
The 6’9” former first round pick in 2020 had a career-high 43 points in Wednesday’s 133-126 loss to New Orleans, adding 15 rebounds to finish off his third double double in his last four games.
Avdija finished 6-10 from three in the game and 13-24 from the field. He previously had not made more than four three’s in a game all season.
It’s just his third season in the league, and the Wizards currently have the second worst record in the NBA, but Avdija has put together perhaps his best stretch of play in his young career and could be a key piece to a potential rebuild looking toward the seasons ahead.
The DMV saw seven teams in action this past week, including the Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals, and the Maryland, Georgetown, George Washington, Howard, and American basketball teams
Here are some honorable mention performances for DMV Star of the Week:
Washington Wizards Forward Deni Avdija scored 43 points and hauled in 15 rebounds in Washington’s 133-126 loss in New Orleans on Wednesday
JuJu Reese had back-to-back double doubles this past week, scoring 16 points and hauling in 13 rebounds in the win over Iowa, followed by 18 points and 11 rebounds against #14 Illinois
Here’s what’s coming up this week in DMV Sports:
Washington Capitals (24-21-8, 6th in Metropolitan Division)
2/20 vs. New Jersey
2/22 @ Tampa Bay
2/24 @ Florida
Washington Wizards (9-45, 14th in Eastern Conference)
2/22 @ Denver
2/23 @ Oklahoma City
2/25 vs. Cleveland
D.C. United (0-0-0, 0 points T-1st in Eastern Conference)
2/24 vs. New England (Regular Season Opener)
Maryland Terrapins Basketball (14-12 overall, 6-9, 11th in Big 10)
2/20 @ Wisconsin
2/25 @ Rutgers
Howard Bison Basketball (11-14 overall, 5-3, 3rd in MEAC)
2/19 vs. SC State
2/24 vs. Morgan State
Georgetown Hoyas Basketball (8-17 overall, 1-13, 10th in Big East)
2/21 vs. St. John’s
2/24 @ DePaul
George Washington Revolutionaries Basketball (14-11 overall, 3-9, 13th in Atlantic 10)
2/21 @ Saint Joseph’s
2/24 @ Saint Louis
American University Eagles Basketball (14-13 overall, 8-6, 3rd in Patriot League)
2/21 vs. Boston U
2/25 @ Colgate
*Denotes games I will be covering in-person