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Editor's note: Readers should be advised that this article has not been confirmed as fact.
With several big men competing for few roster spots on the Philadelphia 76ers roster, one of the questions revolving around the team going into training camp is what would be done with Arsalan Kazemi. The second round draft pick had been rumored to be heading overseas since the end of July, but as to where he would play was unknown.
According to an article from an Iranian news agency, the answer may be his homeland of native Iran.
On September 11th, the Iranian Students News Agency claims to have conducted an interview with the 23 year-old, where Kazemi is quoted as saying he will play for Petrochimi Bandar Imam in the Iranian Super Basketball League. Petrochimi won the 2012-13 Iranian championship, and in the past has been able to convince many Americans (most notably Smush Parker and Julius Hodge) to play there, leading one to believe they're a rather wealthy organization.
An extremely loose translation of the article via Google Translate gives us some background into the situation:
According to the Iranian Student News Agency ( ISNA ) , Iranian basketball player transferred Arsalan Kazemi , who came to Philadelphia in the NBA draft is a chapter of the Iranian League for the NPC plays with more experience in order to move forward in the upcoming season of professional basketball League of America to go better . He accepted the offer of an interview with ISNA Mahshhryha formally announced and spoke of his reasons for attending this team . Arsalan Kazemi stated that his visit to Iran would not resort to force to work professionally in the NBA next year to continue her education in the field is the way to go America . He is a season, and will play on loan to the south .
Arsalan Kazemi opportunity to play in one of the main reasons for the rise in Iran. The players are selected in the second round Yarkshy to guarantee qualification to be a normal activity and they often save costs or other reasons for a season or even transferred to other teams (D-league) are transferred or Europe . A. I have also come to play and gain experience in Iran .
Detailed interview with the ISNA Arsalan Kazemi continues to read :
* After years come to Iran and the Iranian league you play . Petrochemical fully agreed with the Kurds ?
Yes , as I mentioned these days is going to play next season in the team and petrochemical . But I 've opted to go with the recommendations of the team that is in good condition . Mr. Hatami 's also nice to know I can do better .
* National problem and not leave the country ?
I got out of the country legally , and now come back to the country . I was in college when the student can be excused from school , I used to get out of the country . Hmahngyhayy also that there is not any problem for me .
* Why did Iran choose ?
It was chosen for several reasons . I would love to play in my country . I want to make the best of it while I have the opportunity to take in the field and have a go . On the one hand, I can take a step closer to basketball because I love basketball always want to help my country .
The players are selected in the second round draft contract with the club no warranty or guarantee . I can now close the contract with the Philadelphia Club Qrardadm not guaranteed and may at any time terminate the contract which is the subject of a risk . Philadelphia now has three players that post, I also have the experience of playing in the NBA season contract ends. Each coach is that the team uses them . NBA stay on the bench will not be any improvement
* To make further progress could not play in Europe ?
It 's possible , but I'm coming to Iran is a technical reason . When I talked with Philadelphia 's technical manager and he told me that we must assess the situation at that time where I get the opportunity to play . I just want to go to the field in pro leagues in Europe if I wanted to play too hard and I could not arrive in time to play each match 30 minutes . It was provided to me Iran and China in the league because the league but I do not accept the Chinese decided to come to Iran . Asian champions Iran is finally hitting the clubs for the first letter and that's why I 'm in the game .
* Note that you can not close the Iranian league career away a bit difficult to eat and start?
My trip to Iran is not fun . With all the work and I 'm trying to improve . NPC is one of the reasons I've chosen is to focus on basketball . I thought that these conditions are not provided in Tehran or Isfahan mahshahr why I went to this town I only play basketball .
* NPC champions and it's not your job harder ?
Hundred percent , but all I can to help this team, so we 're champions . Mahshhryha I have a very good crowd and with their support we are going to win , too .
* There is talk these days that is why Nmymany in Philadelphia . So it is natural for newcomers stay in the NBA , but explain yourself .
This is an issue that some people think incorrectly . The players are selected in the second round draft contract with the club no warranty or guarantee . I can now close the contract with the Philadelphia Club Qrardadm not guaranteed and may at any time terminate the contract which is the subject of a risk . Philadelphia now has three players that post, I also have the experience of playing in the NBA season contract ends. Each coach is that the team uses them . NBA stay on the bench will not be any progress . That's why , when I spoke with the technical manager for a year I decided to go somewhere I can play well and I want to grow . So I decided I did not want to venture far to get a good game and I want to grow . After each match I play movies it will provide analysis and also aware of my situation . Can I get back to America next year to study ways to work with Philadelphia . I could play in Europe this year , and I make good money , but probably will have opportunities to take a little time for me to go into the field to no avail.
* Philadelphia at the time you exercise ?
At this time the family came to America and they 'd come back to Iran to come back to practice .
* The presence of the Iranian national team manager you could have the opportunity to be seen up close to see Bazyhayt .
Yes it is. Whenever I am in the service of the national team coach would be served with all I am.
It seems as though Kazemi felt he would be rendered to the end of the bench in Philadelphia, which would not help him improve. The obvious answer seemed to be to send him to Europe, but according to Kazemi, he would not be able to get there soon enough to be able to log big time minutes, leaving him with China or Iran as his only options. According to the interview, Kazemi would be able to return to Philadelphia next year if he so chooses.
The motivation for a possible move seems to bring some prominence to the league, as well as increase Kazemi's chances of joining his country in the 2014 World Cup.