A young Iranian playing in the NBA.Among the things I never thought I would see in my lifetime, thats one.
But hes here.
Hamed Haddadi, a 7-foot-2 center for the Phoenix Suns, has joined the long list of foreign-born players who have come to the United States to play basketball at its highest level.
None of the others, however, come from a country with such an acrimonious history with the U.S.
Before Wednesday nights game against the Jazz, Haddadi admitted the political aspect to his situation is rare. But its not a distraction.
"Its part of it," he said outside the visitors locker room at EnergySolutions Arena. "But I dont follow politics. Its not my job. Basketball is my job. I follow basketball my sport, my team. I wake up every morning at 7:30 or 8. I dont have time for politics, you know? I follow just my job."
Haddadi was born almost 28 years ago in Ahvaz, Iran, a city with a population of 1.4 million that has an average high temperature in July of 115 degrees.
No wonder he likes Phoenix.
Haddadi didnt play basketball until he was "14 or 15," concentrating instead on soccer.
ByThe Salt Lake Tribune
The Iran Project is not responsible for the content of quoted articles.
