Aaron Geramipoor expects no complacency from Iran in efforts to clinch FIBA Asia Cup 2021 berth
TEHRAN (Iran) - Aaron Geramipoor is hopeful for first appearance in the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers as Iran looks to stay focused and undefeated.
TEHRAN (Iran) - In the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers, Iran handled their business. Both of their first games were played at home and they comfortably beat Syria and Qatar to command the top spot in Group E.
Iran were easily one of the most dominant team of that window, beating their opponents by an average of 44.45 points per game. This means that they'll be riding high on confidence going into these second window games which will be hosted in Doha, Qatar.
“ There will be some great basketball being played during this window, and you don't want to miss out on it - Aaron Geramipoor
"As a team, we are confident and we are looking forward to this next window to play against international competition once again," said Aaron Geramipoor, Iran's up-and-coming big man. "Since COVID-19 struck, many sporting events and games worldwide have been paused, so it's great that this event is safely going ahead."
Geramipoor did not play with his fellow countrymen in the first window, but is expected to make his Qualifiers debut in the upcoming games in Doha. He is among one of the 20 players named to Iran's preliminary roster, a list which also includes some of the best Team Melli has to offer.
| Iran's 20-player preliminary roster for Window 2 of FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers | |||
| Rouzbeh Arghavan | Mohammad Torabi | Mohammad Jamshidi | Hamed Haddadi |
| Mohammad Hassanzadeh | Hamed Hosseinzadeh | Saeed Davarpanah | Mike Rostampour |
| Arman Zanganeh | Emad Salmani | Masoud Soleimani | Amir Sedighi |
| Aaron Geramipoor | Sajjad Mashayekhi | Rasool Mozaffari | Meysam Mirzaei |
| Aliar Najafi | Samad Nikkhah Bahrami | Behnam Yakhchali | Sina Vahedi |
Though they have the expected upper hand with the highly touted names on their roster, Iran will not be heading into these next two games against Saudi Arabia and Syria with a sense of complacency.
Geramipoor might have yet to play in the Qualifiers with this team, but his experience playing in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 with the squad is all he needs to know that they will always put in their best effort no matter who they face.
"Every game we enter as a team, we are sure to take it seriously and are always focused on the task at hand. We respect our opponents and do our best on the day. I don't believe we will enter with a mindset of complacency," he said.
"We respect every team we face and we will focus on playing our team style of basketball and focus on our strengths under the guidance of Coach Shahintab."
If Iran can stay undefeated and secure both wins in this next window, they will automatically qualify for FIBA Asia Cup 2021. As the owner of the most Asia Cup titles (3) since 2007 and Asia Cup 2017 runners-up, it wouldn't be much of a surprise if Iran would be the first team to officially lock up a ticket back to Asia's premier competition.
That's why fans can expect to see them put on a show in the upcoming games.
"I'd say, there will be some great basketball being played during this window, and you don't want to miss out on it," Geramipoor said.
"So stream the games and support us from the safety of your homes."
You heard the man. Mark those calendars and get ready for some intense Iran basketball action.
FIBA