Hooped Up

New Grizzlies center Hamed Haddadi touched down at Memphis Internatioanl Airport early Friday afternoon, ending speculation that the Iranian’s entrance into the United States would be delayed due to immigration issues.

Haddadi was greeted at the airport by Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace, Director of Player Personnel Tony Barone, Sr., and Director of Scouting Tony Barone, Jr., as well as members of the Memphis Iranian community.

My Eyewitness News

I posted rumblings about it last week and now it’s official. The first Persian born player will play in the NBA this season.  

“The Memphis Grizzlies signed free-agent centre Hamed Haddadi, who played for the Iranian national team in the Olympics.

The seven-foot-two, 254-pound Haddadi averaged 16.6 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in Beijing.

The 23-year-old Haddadi spent the 2007-08 season playing for Saba Battery BC in the Iranian Super League.”

Canadian Press

The NBA might have a player from every country in a few years and I absolutely love it!

Well according to Payvand, the Persian center has told the paper that a deal is in the works to join the Memphis Grizzlies by next week.  If Hamed Hadadi joins the Memphis Grizzlies or any other NBA club, he would be the first player from Iran to do so.

Hadadi said, “I will undoubtedly join Memphis Grizzlies by the end of next week. I met Memphis’ officials yesterday to discuss joining the team.”

 According to NBA rules, foreign players have to legally wait for their work permit and it takes time, he added.

“I received many offers from European teams but just playing in the NBA is my dream. Hopefully, I can join Memphis as soon as possible without any problem.” 7-foot-2 Iranian Olympian Hamed Hadadi said.

Payvand