PORTLAND, Ore. (April 11, 2025) – The Portland Trail Blazers have named forward Deni Avdija as the recipient of the 2024-25 Maurice Lucas Award, the team announced today.
The annual award was created in 2010-11 to honor the Trail Blazers player who best represents the indomitable spirit of Maurice Lucas through his contributions on and off the court, as well as in support of his teammates and the organization. In recognition of the award, the Trail Blazers will make a $5,000 donation to a nonprofit of Avdija’s choice.
Since arriving in Portland last summer, Deni has engaged and embraced the Portland community, diving deep into the relationship between the team and its fans that makes the Rip City roots run deep. He has participated in numerous community events throughout the season, including the annual Fred Meyer Season of Giving event where he connected with a local family from NAYA (Native American Youth & Family Center) to assist in their holiday shopping. Last month, he matched up with middle school students and staff from POIC (Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center) for a fun day of bowling at Big Al’s, showing off his lighthearted fun side while still displaying his trademark competitive nature.
“In just his first season in a Trail Blazers uniform, Deni has instilled an immense amount of leadership, toughness, and passion with both his teammates and in the community,” said Joe Cronin, Portland Trail Blazers General Manager. “Deni embodies everything that the Maurice Lucas Award is all about and we are grateful to have him in Rip City.”
Avdija is averaging 16.9 points (47.6% FG, 36.5% 3-PT, 78.0% FT), 7.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, .99 steals, and 30.0 minutes per game in his first campaign in Portland. During the 2024-25 season, Avdija has recorded career-highs in points (16.9), rebounds (7.3), assists (3.9) and steals (.99) per game.
Since the All-Star break, Avdija has led the Trail Blazers in scoring (23.3), rebounding (9.7) and assists (5.2). Over his last 13 games played, the fifth-year NBA veteran has posted 26.8 points (52.0% FG, 45.7% 3-PT), 11.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. He joins Nikola Jokic as the only players to have a 13-game stretch this season averaging at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists on 50.0% or better field goal percentage and 45% or better 3-PT percentage.
“I am honored to present Deni Avdija with the 15th iteration of the Maurice Lucas Award,” said Pam Lucas, widow of Maurice Lucas. “Deni has made an incredible impact on the Trail Blazers organization and Rip City community and is a great representative of my husband’s legacy. His tough play on the court and dedication to service off the court would make Maurice proud.”
Former Trail Blazers All-Star Maurice Lucas passed away on October 31, 2010, at the age of 58. A beloved member of the franchise and the community, “The Enforcer” was a central figure on the Trail Blazers 1976-77 NBA Championship team. The Trail Blazers honored Lucas by retiring his uniform number (No. 20) on November 4, 1988.
Lucas averaged 15.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 0.72 blocked shots over five seasons (1976-80, 1987-88) as a Trail Blazer. During Portland’s 1976-77 NBA Championship season, Lucas led the team in scoring (20.2), field goals made (8.0), free throws made (4.2), offensive rebounds (2.4) and minutes (36.2). Selected to the All-Star Game in three straight seasons from 1977-79, Lucas is one of six three-time All-Stars in Trail Blazers history (Damian Lillard, LaMarcus Aldridge, Clyde Drexler, Brandon Roy, Sidney Wicks). He served as an assistant coach with the Trail Blazers for five seasons from 2005-10, and previously in 1988-89.
MAURICE LUCAS AWARD WINNERS
2024-25 – Deni Avdija
2023-24 – Toumani Camara
2022-23 – Jerami Grant
2021-22 – Anfernee Simons
2020-21 – Enes Kanter
2019-20 – Carmelo Anthony
2018-19 – Jusuf Nurkic
2017-18 – Evan Turner
2016-17 – Al-Farouq Aminu
2015-16 – Ed Davis
2014-15 – LaMarcus Aldridge
2013-14 – Robin Lopez
2012-13 – Damian Lillard
2011-12 – Wesley Matthews
2010-11 – LaMarcus Aldridge
ABOUT THE PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
Members of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Portland Trail Blazers were founded in 1970 and purchased by the late Paul G. Allen in 1988. The team’s rich heritage includes 37 playoff appearances, three trips to the NBA Finals, an NBA championship in 1977 and a commitment to community service and sustainability. The Trail Blazers are dedicated to positively impacting underserved kids and their families throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington where they live, learn and play. Portland is the first and only professional sports franchise to receive the prestigious National Points of Light Award for excellence in corporate and community service. The Trail Blazers home arena, Moda Center, is the first existing arena to earn LEED Platinum Certification in 2019 after receiving LEED Gold Recertification in 2015 and becoming the first existing professional sports venue in the world to receive LEED Gold status in 2010. The team is also one of the founding members of the Green Sports Alliance. For more information, visit trailblazers.com.
