ISTANBUL (2010 FIBA World Championship) - There is politics, and there is sport.

Don't confuse one with the other.

That was the message from Iran coach Veselin Matic when he was asked about his team's' upcoming game against the United States in Group B of the FIBA World Championship.

Matic, who hails from Serbia, wants his players only to focus on basketball and that won't be a problem according to the country's emerging star Arsalan Kazemi.

The 20-year-old is proud to represent Iran, but also has plenty of friends in the United States where he attends Rice University.

Should the USA v Iran game have an extra edge because of strained relations between the country?

"This is something to do with the country's governments and nothing to do with the people or the sport," he said to FIBA.com.

"We just want to go out and have a good game. That's all we want to do."

Kazemi, a standout player for Rice last season as a freshman, is fluent in English and even speaks with an American twang.

He has been called into the senior side because of injuries and hasn't just been a bystander.

Matic has started Kazemi in both of Iran's games against Brazil and Croatia.

There is a sparkle in the youngster's eye, however, when asked about the upcoming game against tournament favorites Team USA.

"I just want to play well against all of those NBA players," he said.

As it turns out, he’s not the only Iranian living and playing basketball in America.

Giant center Hamed Ehadadi plays for the Memphis Grizzlies.

FIBA

On Twitter | On Facebook l On FIBA tv