The Iran men’s national basketball team, known as Team Melli, is the official representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran in international basketball. Governed by the Islamic Republic of Iran Basketball Federation (IRIBF), the team has established itself as a leading force in Asian basketball, especially in the 21st century.
Key Achievements
Iran’s basketball success is built on a foundation of consistent performance at the continental level.
- FIBA Asia Cup: The team’s most significant achievements have come at the FIBA Asia Cup (formerly the FIBA Asia Championship), which they have won three times: 2007, 2009, and 2013. They have also secured a silver medal in 2017 and a bronze in 2015, solidifying their position among the continent’s elite.
- Olympic Games: Team Melli has competed in the Olympic Games three times in its history: 1948 (London), 2008(Beijing), and 2020 (Tokyo).
- FIBA World Cup: Iran has participated in the FIBA World Cup four times, with their inaugural appearance in 2010.
Notable Players and Legacy
The rise of Iranian basketball is inextricably linked to a generation of exceptional players who raised the team’s international profile. The most prominent of these is Hamed Haddadi, a towering center and a legend of Asian basketball. Haddadi is widely recognized as the first Iranian to play in the NBA, making his debut for the Memphis Grizzlies in 2008. He officially retired from the national team after the 2023 FIBA World Cup, with his national team jersey number 15 being formally retired in a ceremony in February 2025.
Other key players who contributed to the team’s success include:
- Samad Nikkhah Bahrami: A long-time captain and a versatile scorer who was a consistent force for the team.
- Arsalan Kazemi: Known for his athleticism, rebounding, and defensive prowess, Kazemi was the first Iranian-born player to be drafted into the NBA when he was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2013 draft, although he never appeared in a regular-season game.
- Behnam Yakhchali: A sharp-shooting guard and a consistent scoring threat.
- Mohammad Jamshidi: A dynamic forward and a key part of the modern generation of players.
Head Coaches
The position of head coach for Team Melli has been held by a number of notable figures from both Iran and abroad. The current head coach is Sotirios Manolopoulos. The list of recent head coaches includes:
- Sotirios Manolopoulos (2024–present)
- Hakan Demir (2023–2024)
- Saeid Armaghani (2022–2023)
- Mehran Shahintab (2019-2020)
- Dirk Bauermann (2015-2017)
- Rajko Toroman (2008-2010)
Current Roster
The roster for Team Melli is a blend of veteran experience and young talent. The following is a list of players by position, based on the final 12-man roster for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025:
Guards
- Behnam Yakhchali
- Mohammad Amini
- Sina Vahedi
- Sajjad Mashayekhi
- Navid Rezaeifar
- Mohammad Heydari
- Seyed Mahdi Jafari
Forwards
- Arsalan Kazemi
- Mohammad Jamshidi
- Matin Aghajanpour
- Arman Zangeneh
- Mohammad Rahimi
Centers
- Hasan Aliakbari
- Salar Monji
- Jalal Agha Miri
