Sarem Jafari upbeat with Iran's chances of reasserting Asian U18 kingship: 'Why not?'
TEHRAN (Iran) - Sarem Jafari was a spectator when Iran ruled the 2016 FIBA U18 Asian Championship on home soil. Now a part of Team Melli, he wants to replicate that success. And he likes their chances.
TEHRAN (Iran) - Sarem Jafari witnessed right before his very eyes Iran's conquest of the FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship on home soil back in 2016.
Just 11 years young then, he watched the national team's last few games of the tournament before ultimately deciding to head to the Azadi Basketball Hall to see the hosts' 71-65 victory over Japan to annex the gold medal.
Not only did he see success unfold but he also got to feel the shared elation of the many that trooped to the venue, something that he fell in love with instantly.
"I came to the stadium for the final game," the now 17-year-old vividly recalled. "And I really fell in love with the atmosphere in the Hall, and the people who were cheering for their country's national team with love and joy."
Six years later and the Asian U-18 festivities are making its way back to the Iranian capital. And Jafari, definitely, wants his own celebration, too.
The 2.03 M (6'8") forward is set to see action in the August 21-28 competitions, bannering a Team Melli side motivated to do better after only finishing eighth in the FIBA U16 Asian Championship in Qatar last June.
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"One-hundred percent of us could not enter the World Cup with the Under-16 team, and now let's try to finish the job," said Jafari, who averaged 13.8 points and 9.2 rebounds in the U16 meet.
Jafari and Co. aren't running short of motivation heading into the tilt. Aside from bouncing back, the squad is also out to reclaim lost glory.
Iran failed to defend their U18 throne in 2018 in Thailand, finishing just sixth in the tourney ruled by world powerhouse Australia in sweeping fashion.
Jafari very much believes in his team's capabilities, thus the confidence he has with their chances of going back to the top of Asian youth hoops.
"Yes, why not? We trained very hard and passed the friendly matches, and now we enter the matches with more experience and calmness," he said.
"In my opinion, we have a very talented and good team," furthered Jafari, who began playing basketball in first grade. "And the only thing we need is to believe and attract each other, and I hope that this will happen in the matches."
FIBA