Ahmad Ibrahim and Arsalan Kazemi: Teenage roommates to on-court rivals

BEIRUT (Lebanon) - One of the bigger matchups of this WASL-West Asia season has been the clash between the previous Finalists Gorgan and newcomer Sagesse. The Iranian powerhouse and, so far, undefeated Gorgan nearly led from start to finish to beat the popular Lebanese side Sagesse in their season opener, 86-74.

WASL veteran Arsalan Kazemi proudly took the win, but was also wise in knowing that the tides can shift in a hurry in this competition.

"I know we got [the win in Lebanon] but they have a totally different team with the new [foreign players] so I'm sure they are looking for payback when they come to Tehran," said Kazemi after the early season victory.

The Iran star knows well what Lebanese basketball teams and players are capable of. He knows from playing against Al Riyadi as a part of the ZobAhan team last season. He knows from playing against the Lebanon national team across multiple competitions over the years as a mainstay on the Iran national team.

But, on a more personal level, Kazemi also knows that Sagesse will come at him and Gorgan with full force. Because he knows that's what Sagesse forward Ahmad Ibrahim will be determined to do.

"It's always great to see Ahmad, he is my brother," said Kazemi of the friendly encounter.

"IT WAS OUR FIRST TIME PLAYING AGAINST EACH OTHER IN A PROFESSIONAL GAME, BUT DURING THE GAME, IT WAS ALL COMPETITIVE BECAUSE WE BOTH HAVE A WINNING MINDSET AND DON'T LIKE TO LOSE."

"I DON'T KNOW HOW [THIS] WAS THE FIRST TIME WE WERE PLAYING EACH OTHER IN ASIA."

Of course, Kazemi and Ibrahim are not blood-relatives. However, they do share a background, growing up together in a foreign land together, forging a bond that might as well be as tight as brothers would have.

"The first time I met Arsalan was in Patterson High School in North Carolina, USA," explained Ibrahim. "My cousin, Anthony Ibrahim, dropped him off. We were roommates there, and slowly developed a friendship that then turned into a brotherhood."

"We were the only two Middle Eastern guys at Patterson High School in NC, so we immediately became good friends, plus his brother-in-law was my guardian," added Kazemi, who was 14 at the time the two met.

The hardwood was where they connected and their games fit along with each other seamlessly.

"Ahmad has unlimited confidence and has a good feel [for the game]," said the Iranian, who is two years Ibrahim's senior. "Everyone mostly knows him for his scoring ability but he has an all-around game he is a really good defender when he wants and very good passer as well.

"He used to give me a couple of dimes every game."

"Playing as teammates was fun," added Ibrahim. "He plays hard, always has his teammates' backs, and is very supportive. All he cares about is winning games, in any way possible, and that dedication is very respectable for a player. He was known for dunking on people and being very athletic. Arsalan was a highly recruited player by all D1 colleges in the country as soon as they saw how he played.

"He made me better on the court by always practicing together, he's a great defender, so competing at night and playing one-on-one made me better. He reads the game with a very high IQ, makes the right plays at the right time, and makes everyone better around him."

Their friendship wasn't limited to just on-court action. If anything, they might have been even closer off the court with each other.

"We definitely hung out all the time together," said Ibrahim. "We stayed at the dorms and were roommates, so most our time was together on and off the court. In our free time, we used to just hang around, play a little Ping Pong, go to Walmart to get groceries which I used to take from him at night."

Big bro Kazemi confirms their passion for table tennis, as well as playing pool:

"But shopping was our main hobby," he added with a smile. "He use to introduce me to decent brands and I always find some online coupons."

There were certainly many more moments throughout those years that fortified their friendship, but "the memorable things can't be shared in public", said Kazemi with a chuckle.

"That's just what best friends do, hang around together," said Ibrahim.

Considering what they've been through together and who they've been able to become out of those experiences, it's no wonder why they both highly cherish their friendship.

"We both came to the [USA] at a very tender age, but we adapted well. It's been my home since I was 13 years old which makes me proud. But to think about where we were and where we reached really puts a smile on our faces. We still talk about it every now and then.

Another bonding moment is that both of us attended the same university, Rice University, at Houston, Texas," said Ibrahim, while also giving a shout out to "H Town".

"Arsalan was a junior at Rice when I came in as a freshman. Going from high school teammates to college teammates reinforced our bond."

Despite being teammates through their times in high school and college, the two didn't share the court in any other setting - barely missing out the opportunity here and there.

Ibrahim played for Lebanon at the U18 Asian Championship in 2008 scoring 30.8 points per game and while Kazemi did not play there, he was featured at the U19 World Cup in 2009 where he put up 16.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per contest.

Arsalan played in several Asia Cups for Iran since 2010, but the only edition he didn't make an appearance was the one Ibrahim played in for Lebanon back in 2015. Both played for their respective teams through the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers, but Lebanon's and Iran's paths never crossed.

Ahmad Ibrahim, FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers

Still, the two were always in consistent communication with each other.

"We always keep in touch, especially with social media these days where we can see each other's accomplishments," said Ibrahim. "When we do well, we congratulate each other and when we go through tough times, we are there for each other pushing one another."

"Arsalan is my brother, we grew up together, there is nothing to break that childhood brotherly bond, and I am thankful for that."

"We have been in touch ever since," said Kazemi. "We still see each other back in Houston almost every year to hang out, workout."

"I don't know how [this] was the first time we were playing each other in Asia."

And that's why the first game of the WASL-West Asia season between Sagesse and Gorgan meant so much. After everything they had been through together as West Asian youngsters in the USA and becoming respectable talents in their own countries, this was now only the first time either faced one another on the court. While they probably would have liked to have this sort of opportunity earlier in their careers, it is better late than never as they say.

"Before the game, we gave each other a big hug as it's been a while since we had seen one another face to face," said Ibrahim. "We both wished each other good luck and hoped for no injuries."

Despite the friendly nature of their relationship ("pre-game we messed with each other a little" said Kazemi), once it was tip-off time, all gloves were off.

"It was our first time playing against each other in a professional game, but during the game, it was all competitive because we both have a winning mindset and don't like to lose. We both went into the game, each trying to snatch the win," said Ibrahim.

"After the game, it was all love and we hung out and had bite to eat together like old times. We tried to make the best out of our short time together since we don't get to see each other as often as we would like."

This friendly clash is a cultivation of a little bit of everything, whether it is Kazemi and Ibrahim becoming outstanding talents in their regards as well as being on outstanding teams competing in WASL. The two not only relish the chance to play against each other but in this particular platform of competition.

"I think the WASL setting is awesome," Kazemi expressed. "All the teams get to play in front of their crowds and even when you play away, it's awesome for you to play in that type of atmosphere."

"WASL brought people from across the region together and made basketball better," added Ibrahim, who also praised the Sagesse fans ("the biggest fan base in Lebanon) and is excited for the Gorgan fans in Tehran where Sagesse will play on 11 January.

"People are waiting for WASL games to watch them, especially players that have known each other for a while but never got the chance to compete. Shout out to WASL for this beautiful tournament."

More than playing the game that they love with the people they share a special bond with, established talents like Kazemi and Ibrahim are also grateful to be able to be able to inspire the next generation with their play.

"I think basketball is becoming more popular by the day and especially when you play for these types of teams that have a lot of fans and kids looking up to you and expect you to play and bring your 100 percent every night, you have no other choice [to play your fullest] and it's very important," said Kazemi.

"It's very important to pave the way for the future generation of basketball," chimed in Ibrahim. "When you get older in life, you take advantage of every moment and always try to set a nice example to the youngsters; especially since in both our countries respectively we know that young players look up to athletes and want to become just like us or better."

There is at least one more game left for the two brothers to face off against each other (with potentially more should they both make a deeper run in the competition) and they each had a sincere message for each other ahead of the clash at the Azadi Basketball Hall.

"Since we became professional players a lot has happened," Kazemi directed to Ibrahim. "We had our ups and downs… but we never gave up and all I can say is keep working and keep pushing yourself, bro."

"I appreciate the days we had together and look forward to creating more memorable memories and moments together," said Ibrahim of Kazemi, who he says is a very caring person who puts family first.

"That’s my dawg!"

FIBA