TEHRAN (2016 FIBA Asia U18 Championship) - The last time Tehran hosted a FIBA Asia youth tournament, the Iranians did not fare so well. They will aim to make a more favorable impression this time around in the 2016 FIBA Asia U18 Championship.

2013 was the last time a FIBA youth event was held in Iran, and in that competition, Team Melli were uncharacteristically flat, losing 5 of their 9 games overall. They went 2-1 in their preliminary group thanks to a blowout from Korea, 92-78, and fared even worse in the second round, losing big to China and Bahrain after their opening victory against Syria. Iran barely made it to the Quarter-Finals, where eventual second-placers Philippines humbled them, 79-52. The home team would exact revenge on Bahrain before losing a second time to Korea in the consolation rounds. Iran finished in sixth place, their lowest since placing seventh in 2006.

That's in stark contrast to the 2008 Iran U18 team that won the plum on home soil, which is something current coach Mohammad Reza Nouri hopes his wards can duplicate when the joust begins on July 22.

Nouri is bringing a team bannered by experienced international player Amirhossein Azari and 2.03m center Amirhossein Khandanpoor.

Azari (1.92m) last played at the FIBA Asia level in the 2013 FIBA Asia U16 tourney, averaging 6.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. He also played in the 2015 FIBA U19 Championship in Heraklion, Greece, putting up 3.6 points per outing. He was mostly a supporting member in those two campaigns, but he is expected to be one of this team’s main leaders as Team Melli try to reclaim their place at the top of the food chain.

Just by his sheer size, Khandanpoor is also another one on whom we must keep an eye. The native of Tehran will be playing in front of a friendly crowd, and that should bolster his already imposing frame. Given his size and length, Khandanpoor will be among coach Nouri’s top choices in the paint and around the basket along with Mostafa Rezaei (1.97m) and Amin Kamalvand (1.96m). Amirhossein Rezaeifar, the only 16-year-old player on this roster, is also imposing at 1.96m. For sure, he is gaining experience as he will also be eligible in the same youth level competition two years from now.

Iran are with Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon and last year’s U16 champions Korea in Group B of the tournament. The other group has defending U18 champions China, SEABA U18 kings Philippines, Chinese Taipei, India, Iraq and Thailand.

Iran are set to take on Indonesia on opening night, and will follow that with the Kazakhs on the next day.

The top three teams at the end of this competition will qualify for the 2017 FIBA U19 World Championship, which will be played in Cairo, Egypt.

FIBA