Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Arsalan Kazemi is planning on developing his game in his home country, Iran. Multiple media reports are saying Kazemi will be signing with defending Iranian Super Basketball League Champion Petrochimi Bandar Imam Harbour this season. Kazemi’s skills will be wasted sitting mostly at the end of the Philadelphia 76ers bench if he was to play for them this season.
Kazemi’s plans address the question of where he will play overseas as expected this season. The surprise is he will return to Iran to develop his game rather than play in a higher-quality league such as the Euro League or D-League. However, he will certainly get significant playing time with Petrochimi.
The Sixers may bring him in next season if he improves his game. He had an average showing with the Sixers summer league team this year. The 54th pick in this year’s draft is better suited as small forward since he had difficulty guarding bigger power forwards. He became the first Iranian-born NBA draft pick. The move also helps the Sixers free up some space at the small forward spot since they have Evan Turner and Thaddeus Young playing that position.
He might not get his NBAopportunity since he’s a project player the Sixers will follow despite having an impressive senior season with Oregon averaging 9.4 points, 10 rebounds and two steals per game. Kazemi also has a chance to play for Iran’s national team, which qualified for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup (previously known as the World Championships).
Kazemi may have a tough time playing for the Sixers next season depending on the cap space and offseason moves they make next summer with small forward Andrew Wiggins and the abundance of small forwards being available.
He will need to play well in the World Cup if he is to be called up to the Sixers. Iran defeated the Philippines 85-71 in the finals to win this year’s Asian Championships. They will need his help considering the level of competition from Europe, Latin America and North America is higher quality.
Alan Gung is a Philadelphia 76ers writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @AlanGung, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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