Arsalan Kazemi: First Iranian to receive U.S. hoops scholarship?

[Babak]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...emi/index.html

Looks like he's quite a baller. If he impresses enough this coming season as a senior in high school, I'd love to see him get recruited and signed by UCLA. Playing for one of the nation's top basketball programs with a huge Iranian fan base couldn't be any better for him.

"Ibrahim says in addition to being pursued by Oklahoma State and Seton Hall, Kazemi has offers from Missouri, Arkansas and Rice. Cheney sees Kazemi as a high-major prospect whose recruitment has yet to really heat up -- especially given that he has yet to even showcase his game in a real, varsity environment in the States."

[KasraKhan]

Good for him but that article is rubbish, what does Ahmadinjead, balistic missle tests, and enriching uranium have to do with this kid?

[Babak]

Good for him but that article is rubbish, what does Ahmadinjead, balistic missle tests, and enriching uranium have to do with this kid?

I thought it was an excellent article. Did you read the whole thing? There was maybe one paragraph mentioning politics in an indepth 3 page article. The point of that stuff was that his current rise in basketball is much more interesting than the political situation we hear about in the news on a daily basis.

I thought this part was very interesting, apparently he's been working out with Nick Van Exel, who was my favorite player growing up as a kid when he was on the Lakers.

"Ibrahim has taken some steps to Americanize Kazemi's basketball skill set; in his work as a travel agent, Ibrahim has counted a number of NBA players as clients, and he called upon one of them for a favor this year. That was how Kazemi's primary workout partner in Houston became Nick Van Exel.

"The first time Anthony told me we were going to work out with a real NBA player, I was so excited," Kazemi said. "[Van Exel] knows so much stuff that he can show me. We have been doing a lot of ballhandling and shooting." Van Exel has confided in Ibrahim that he thinks Kazemi, as a collegian, "can play anywhere in the country."

[KasraKhan]

I thought this part was very interesting, apparently he's been working out with Nick Van Exel, who was my favorite player growing up as a kid when he was on the Lakers.

He is still my favorite all time NBA player until this day.

I didnt read that part, thanks for sharing. I didnt know it was 3 pages I stopped reading after the politics that were mentioned, thanks though

[persianbruin]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...emi/index.html
Looks like he's quite a baller. If he impresses enough this coming season as a senior in high school, I'd love to see him get recruited and signed by UCLA. Playing for one of the nation's top basketball programs with a huge Iranian fan base couldn't be any better for him.
"Ibrahim says in addition to being pursued by Oklahoma State and Seton Hall, Kazemi has offers from Missouri, Arkansas and Rice. Cheney sees Kazemi as a high-major prospect whose recruitment has yet to really heat up -- especially given that he has yet to even showcase his game in a real, varsity environment in the States."

By first Iranian I think they mean someone who doesnt have dual citizenship, because back in the 90's there was this guy name ramin something who played for SMC a couple of years and then got a scholarship and played for USC

[persianbruin]

He is still my favorite all time NBA player until this day.
I didnt read that part, thanks for sharing. I didnt know it was 3 pages I stopped reading after the politics that were mentioned, thanks though

when then that means you watched NBA only part time since van excel only showed up part time!!

[Darvish11]

i hope he doesnt go to the big 12 lol

the iran senior team should let him run with them...i dont think theyve won a game since qualifying it cant hurt

tough decision for him about the visa...i feel for him

i wish him the very best of luck and obviously hope to see him in the nba...if he plays for a DIV 1 school ill be sure to catch a couple of his games

[persianbruin]

i hope he doesnt go to the big 12 lol
the iran senior team should let him run with them...i dont think theyve won a game since qualifying it cant hurt
tough decision for him about the visa...i feel for him
i wish him the very best of luck and obviously hope to see him in the nba...if he plays for a DIV 1 school ill be sure to catch a couple of his games

Its not that hard to get into div 1. I mean have you seen how many schools are out there????? THis is why in college bball they value final 4 so much unlike other sports where you have to be the champion

[Darvish11]

Its not that hard to get into div 1. I mean have you seen how many schools are out there????? THis is why in college bball they value final 4 so much unlike other sports where you have to be the champion

full scholarship to a d 1 school in basketball is VERY hard

[persianbruin]

full scholarship to a d 1 school in basketball is VERY hard

not if you are good! 12 players times 200 teams

[Babak]

not if you are good! 12 players times 200 teams

But realistically, a max of 3-4 out of those 12 will receive a full scholarship like this guy has already been offered by several fairly big name programs.

[persianbruin]

But realistically, a max of 3-4 out of those 12 will receive a full scholarship like this guy has already been offered by several fairly big name programs.

all 12 players get full scholarship babak not just 3-4!!!

[Babak]

all 12 players get full scholarship babak not just 3-4!!!

You're right, apparently each college men's basketball team can have 13 scholarships. I guess I was confused by some of the walk-on scrubs that UCLA has had the past few years lol.

[EKBATAN]

awesome news!



i wish him luck