By Kambakhsh Khalaji
Tehran, Feb 13, IRNA -- Neither pigs flew nor the hell froze over,
but an Iranian does join NBA within the next two months.
The Iranian tower is 7 feet 5 inches, 260 pounds, with an 8-foot
wingspan.
He is a shot blocker with a soft shooting touch. He can grab the
rim flat-footed and dunk on his tiptoe.
He is a kid from historical city Isfahan, Iran -- Jaber
Rouzbahani.
Born on May 10, 1986, Rouzbahani started playing less than four
years ago and now plays for Isfahan`s Zob Ahan.
The Iranian teen played Yao Ming in an Asian tournament last year
and held him to 15 points -- about half of what Yao was averaging in
the tourney.
Rouzbahani played at the World Junior Championships in
Thessaloniki, Greece, last summer in front of NBA scouts, averaging
12 points and 8 rebounds per game and an eye-opening 7 blocks, leading
the entire tournament. He worked with Ansar Alameen, an NBA skill development coach, last year.
His biggest obstacles are learning English and developing his
body and skills.
What stands out most about Rouzbahani, besides the obvious size,
is his infectious smile and a great personality, which shines through
despite the language barrier.
"I underwent all NBA tests," Rouzbahani told IRNA Sunday adding
"I have to register at San Francisco University to be able to play in
NBA league. The enrollment takes me two months.
"My presence in NBA will help my teammates find their way into the
world`s most prestigious basketball league."
Tehran, Feb 13, IRNA -- Neither pigs flew nor the hell froze over,
but an Iranian does join NBA within the next two months.
The Iranian tower is 7 feet 5 inches, 260 pounds, with an 8-foot
wingspan.
He is a shot blocker with a soft shooting touch. He can grab the
rim flat-footed and dunk on his tiptoe.
He is a kid from historical city Isfahan, Iran -- Jaber
Rouzbahani.
Born on May 10, 1986, Rouzbahani started playing less than four
years ago and now plays for Isfahan`s Zob Ahan.
The Iranian teen played Yao Ming in an Asian tournament last year
and held him to 15 points -- about half of what Yao was averaging in
the tourney.
Rouzbahani played at the World Junior Championships in
Thessaloniki, Greece, last summer in front of NBA scouts, averaging
12 points and 8 rebounds per game and an eye-opening 7 blocks, leading
the entire tournament. He worked with Ansar Alameen, an NBA skill development coach, last year.
His biggest obstacles are learning English and developing his
body and skills.
What stands out most about Rouzbahani, besides the obvious size,
is his infectious smile and a great personality, which shines through
despite the language barrier.
"I underwent all NBA tests," Rouzbahani told IRNA Sunday adding
"I have to register at San Francisco University to be able to play in
NBA league. The enrollment takes me two months.
"My presence in NBA will help my teammates find their way into the
world`s most prestigious basketball league."
