HERAKLION (2015 FIBA U19 World Championship) - When it comes down to leaders, Iran know they have a great one at the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship.

The Iranian captain Mohammad Yousof Vand has been through the battles already and his teammates know that.

The center leads the 2015 U19 Worlds in efficiency after two games with 33 per game as he averages 19 points, 16 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 3.0 rebounds. After collecting 16 points, 11 rebounds and five assists against the United States, Yousof Vand picked up 22 points, 21 rebounds and six steals against Egypt. 

It shouldn't be a surprise that the 2.07m big man has excelled in Heraklion given that this is his second U19 World Championship. As a 17-year-old, he averaged 6.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals two summers ago in Prague. 

After Yousof Vand averaged a double-double at the 2014 FIBA Asia U18 Championship, he then played a significant role for Iranian Superleague team Takmash Qazvin as he collected 8.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in his fourth season in the country's top flight.

"I really respect my teammate because he really tries to pass along his experience to everybody on the team," said Iranian guard Navid Rezaeifar. 

"He helps the team to develop in one way."

Yousef Vand's big game against Egypt was not enough despite Iran coming back from a 21-point second half deficit and cutting it to one point twice inside the final minute before losing 62-59.  

It was Iran’s second straight loss after dropping to the United States 83-53. The Iranians actually led against the Americans in the second quarter 22-21 after building a 15-8 lead in the first quarter.

Rezaeifar, who scored 20 points against the United States, said that game helped the Iranian team a lot.

"It was a very hard game. We knew we were playing against the best team in the world," Rezaeifar said.

"We came to win the game but we weren't able to get it. I don't think we had enough international experience."

The Iranian players can look to Yousof Vand and know the captain will do his job. But it is games like against the Americans and Egypt that help other players become leaders.

FIBA