WABA experience teaches Jafari important lessons

TEHRAN (WABA Championship 2017/FIBA U19 World Championship 2017) - Mohammad Jafari learned some valuable lessons while playing with Iran’s senior national team at the West Asia Basketball Association (WABA) Championship - things he says will help him at this summer’s FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017.

Just six months after leading Iran to the title at FIBA Asia U18 Championship title - and a spot at Cairo 2017 - Jafari was back at the bottom of the totem pole as an 18-year-old playing alongside the country’s elite senior players.

"It feels good," Jafari said about being with the senior national team in Amman. "You know you are one of the youngest in the team and trying to learn from the others."

(The WABA Championship) really makes me more motivated to work harder. I'm learning to understand that nothing is just given and that I have to earn my place." - Jafari

Jafari averaged 3.3 points and 0.7 rebounds in three games as Iran took second place to Lebanon with a 4-1 record. His best game came against Syria as he picked up five points, one rebound and one assist in nine minutes.

But more importantly than performing well at the senior level was the daily interaction with players who have already performed at the highest level.

"This event really makes me more motivated to work harder," Jafari said. "I'm learning to understand that nothing is just given and that I have to earn my place."

The Tehran native said he really benefitted from being around Arsalan Kazemi, who will be one of Iran’s most important players going forward as the bridge from the extremely successful older generation to a group of talents youngsters including Jafari.

"Arsalan is the best player on the team but he is a humble person too. I learned from him to not have any ego," said Jafari. 

Mohammad Jafari said he learned a lot from interacting with Iran star Arsalan Kazemi at the WABA Championship.

The 1.90m guard now will take this experience and look ahead to the FIBA U19 World Championship this summer.

"It will help me a lot because I have played with these great players and got some experience from them," he said.

When asked about the goal for Iran at the tournament this summer from 1-9 July, Jafari said: "I think to advance into the top eight teams."

Jafari taking the lessons he learned from the WABA Championship will be a big help in Iran accomplishing that goal.

FIBA