FOR the first time in two decades, there will be no Hamed Haddadi in Iran’s roster for the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup.
Despite the absence of the Iranian behemoth, Team Melli remains formidable heading into Jeddah.
Coach Sotiris Manolopoulos put premium on youth in constructing Iran’s roster for this edition, with his biggest callup being 20-year-old slasher Mohammad Amini who currently plays for SLUC Nancy Basket in France.
After a breakout performance in the senior level in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Amini's rise as Iran's next big star continued in the Asia Cup qualifiers.
The 20-year-old averaged close to 16 points a game alongside 6.2 boards in five games.
Iran's transition
Backing him up is Arsalan Kazemi who will be carrying the torch for the Iranian vets, serving as the bridge from Iran’s glorious past to its promising future.
At 35, he is still a solid contributor as seen in his 5.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
Also with Kazemi in the lineup is Sina Vahedi (Tabiat), Navid Rezaeifar (Palayesh Naft Abadan), and Matin Aghajanpour (Kalleh) as they are the only ones left from the 2023 Fiba World Cup team.
Completing Team Melli are Mobin Sheikhi of Iranian Super League champion Shahrdari Gorgan), Hasan Aliakbari (Tabiat), Mohammadmahdi Rahimi (Mahram Tehran BC), Mahdi Jafari (Kouchin Amol), Arman Zangeneh (Zob Ahan Isfahan BC), Salar Monji (Al Sadd Sports Club Doha), and 19-year-old guard Mohammadmahdi Heydari.
Iran finished at fifth place in Jakarta back in 2022, a tough finish for the Middle Eastern powerhouse which has made it to the podium the last three editions and won the cup in 2013 in Manila.
Team Melli is in Group B together with Japan, Guam, and Syria.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
