Iran or the Islamic Republic of Iran is the country inWestern Asia.
It was before known in the western world as Persia, but starting in the year 1935, Iran was used. In both cultural contexts,both Persia and Iran are used interchangeably but in political context, Iran is the official name. In terms of area, Iran is the 18th largest in the world and has a population of over 74 million.
Iran is not that open with other cultures but they adapt others which they found useful and helpful to them.
Basketball in Iran and Their National Team
Basketball is famous in Iran, especially when they started dominating in FIBA Asia. The Iran National Basketball team is ranked 2nd in the FIBA Asia and ranked 20th in the World Rankings. They are a powerhouse team and one of the strongest teams in FIBA Asia along with the China team, they are closely competing to be the number one team in Asia. They are the defending champions of the 2009 FIBA Asia championship.
With an NBA prospect player at that time, they are dominating each games and has been bashing their opponents with their size and athleticism.
In the 2007 FIBA Asian Championship, Iran was placed with China, Jordan and Philippines in the bracket called “Group of Death” and successfully won each matches with the 3 teams to be promoted to the next round.
Iran won 2 games and lost 1 in the semifinals, winning over the Chinese Taipei and Qatar then went 75-62 against Kazakhstan.They beat Lebanon 74-69 to win the tournament along with the 31 pts of Hamed Haddadi. They were the first western Asian team to win the whole tournament and qualified to play in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
For the first time in 60 years, Iranians are qualified in 2008 Beijing Olympics. They have been grouped with Lithuania, Russia, Argentina, Croatia and Australia though they lost 5 games. Although they did not have a successful route in the Olympics, it was an opening opportunity for its top players to be scouted by the NBA. Haddadi and Samad Nikkhah Bahrami had soon be able to play in the NBA and LNB.
The 2009 FIBA Asia Championship was the qualifying round for the FIBA World Championship and Iran National Basketball team has won its 2nd straight FIBA Asia Championship. It was held from August 6 to August 16, 2009. The Iranians won over the behemoth China in the finals to get the Gold medal of the tournament. Their center Hamed Haddadi was named Most Valuable Player for the second time that also led the team of its 2 titles.
Hamed Haddadi Bio (he plays in the NBA)
Behdad Sami Bio (freakish vertical leap:)