News / Sports

FIBA names Iran’s Haddadi among top five centers in Asia

Monday, 01 January 2018 8:26 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 01 January 2018 8:26 AM ]

Iranian professional basketball player Hamed Haddadi (file photo)

Fédération Internationale de Basket-ball (FIBA) has named Iranian professional basketball player Hamed Haddadi among the best five post players for the year 2017 in the Asian region.

According to the latest list released by the governing body responsible for organizing the most famous and prestigious international basketball competitions, the 32-year-old Iranian, who currently plays for the professional basketball club Petrochimi Bandar Imam at the Iranian Super League, joined Quincy Davis from Chinese Taipei, Wang Zhelin from China, Andray Blatche from the Philippines and Alex Pledger from New Zealand as the top five centers in Asia.

“The 2.18-meter man in the middle for Team Melli (the Iranian national basketball team) continued to be a force of nature in Asia this year. The former NBA (National Basketball Association) center exhibited well-rounded play for Iran at the Asia Cup, where he was pretty much a 'point center' as much as an inside scorer and rim protector.

“Haddadi hurt Iran's foes in so many ways in that tournament, which was a huge reason they finished second behind Australia. It's a pity he missed the first window of the Asian qualifiers, though,” FIBA commented.

Haddadi is the first Iranian to play in the NBA, when he debuted with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2008.

He continued playing with the Grizzlies until 2013, when he first get traded to the Toronto Raptors and then the Phoenix Suns before returning to Iran.

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