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The Iranian men’s basketball team, is one of Asia’s most successful Federations. Since the turn of the century, they’ve won three FIBA Asia Cup and have claimed a silver and a bronze medal at the tournament. Plus, the side has also qualified for every edition of the FIBA Basketball World Cup since 2010.
Placed in the dreaded "Group of Death" alongside China, the Philippines, and Jordan, the Iranians won all three group matches to make it to the next round.
In the quarterfinals, Iran went 2–1, to make it to semifinals, following victories over Chinese Taipei and Qatar, and then routed Kazakhstan, 75–62, in the semifinals.
The Iranians then beat Lebanon 74–69, with Hamed Haddadi scoring 31 points. Not only did it avenge an 82–60 defeat in the quarterfinals, they also became the first Western Asian team to win the tournament, and thus make it to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
2008 Beijing Olympic Games
In being crowned the 2007 Asian Champions, the Iranians qualified for the 2008 Beijing games for the first time in 60 years. The Olympic experience led to a flurry of opportunities for the Iranian players, as they traveled across the world in preparation for the games, including a visit to the US. Iran was placed in Group A, along with Lithuania, Russia, Argentina, Croatia, and Australia, suffering five defeats. The Olympic experience opened doors for players such as Hamed Haddadi, and Iranian captainSamad Nikkhah Bahrami to play in the NBA (National Basketball Association) and sign in the top French League.
Haddadi finished with averages of 16.6 points per game, 11.2 rebounds per game, and 2.6 blocks per game, leading the entire tournament in the latter two categories. His highlight performance was in the game against Argentina when he put up 21 points and 16 rebounds.
Iran national team in 2021, during a time out in a friendly against Spain.
Winning the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship at Manila, Philippines, was a sign that the Iranian team has forgot the tragedy of their loss to Jordan in last tournament, 2011 FIBA Asia Championship, and reclaimed the top place in the FIBA Asia. Iran defeated the charged up hosts Philippines by an 85–71 win in the final. Iranian center Hamed Haddadi, who played a stellar role in Iran's triumph at the 27th FIBA Asia Championship, became the most accomplished individual player of the competition winning two awards, including that of the MVP. Iran was the only team with two awards in the All Stars with Oshin Sahakian named for the Power Forward position.
Iran was only one of three teams at the World Cup 2023 to go home without a win. Finishing bottom in Group G after resounding defeats to Brazil, Côte d'Ivoire and Spain. Further disappointment was to follow in the classification games against France and Lebanon. After the final play of their campaign, one man took centre stage, Hamed Haddadi, bidding a final farewell after 4 consecutive World Cup runs with Iran. At the other end of his career is Mohammad Amini. The 18-year-old who plays for AS Monaco, played 30 minutes a game and was Iran's top tournament scorer.
Tournament records
Red border indicates that the tournament was hosted on home soil. Gold, silver, bronze backgrounds indicates 1st, 2nd and 3rd finishes respectively. Bold text indicates best finish in tournament. B or U18 indicates that the team was represented by its B or U18 team.
(26 November 2024)
Sotiris Manolopoulos
Gold: (2007, 2009, 2013)
Silver: (2017)
Bronze: (2015)
1936
1948
1952
1956
1960
1964
1968
1972
1976
1980
1984
1988
1992
2008
2016
2024
1950
1959
1967
1970
1974
1978
1982
2010
2023
2027
1963
1965
1969
1981
1983
1997
2017
1974
2008
2016
2001
2010
Kazem Rahbari (1948)
George Chiraleu (1974)
Vitali Zastakhov (1994)
Nenad Trajković (2003)
Fred Oniga (2006)
Rajko Toroman (2007–2008)
Memi Bečirovič (2012–2014)
(in Persian)