After failing to secure the services of star pointguard Mehdi Kamrani in the next Governor's Cup, the Meralco Bolts found an unlikely option after the friendly match between powerhouse Iran and the Philippines last 1 June. The Bolts was able to convince and sign national team swingman Mohammad Jamshidi.
The 24-year old Jamshidi finished with only six points for Iran in an 81-70 loss to Philippines because he was heavily guarded by counterparts. Jamshidi is known for his prodigious scoring exploits.
Jamshidi, who suits up for Azad University in the Iran Super League, is listed at 6-foot-5, but Bolts team manager Paolo Trillo told The Philippine Star that the 24-year old met the prescribed height 6-foot-3 for Asian imports for the season-ending PBA Governors’ Cup.
"I was looking at three Iranian players thinking I would not be able to get Mohammad but when I measured him and he stood at 6-foot-3, I got excited because he is a very good basketball player and will help our team," said Trillo.
"I am excited for the opportunity to play here in the Philippines and the PBA. The fans here are incredible and so is their passion for the game," said Jamshidi during a cellphone interview with reporter Rick Olivarez before he was brought by Trillo to the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City for his official measurement. "They also appreciate good basketball and I hope that with my style, I can help Meralco."
Although Jamshidi has been with the Iran national team since 2012, it was only during the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup in Wuhan, China where he finally got meaningful playing time and emerged as the team’s second best scorer behind center Hamed Haddadi. The Shahrekord, Iran native posted averaged of 13.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists en route to his team’s gold medal finish.
During Iran’s 76-55 win against the Philippines, Jamshidi led Iran with 19 points.
However, when in the 2015 FIBA Asia tournament in Changsha, China, Jamshidi’s production went down to 5.2 points and 3.0 boards in nine matches as Iran settled for a bronze medal finish.
With Allen Durham and Jamshidi at the frontcourt, coach Norman Black will now have the luxury of sliding Jared Dillinger to the backcourt together with Chris Newsome.
The 24-year old Jamshidi finished with only six points for Iran in an 81-70 loss to Philippines because he was heavily guarded by counterparts. Jamshidi is known for his prodigious scoring exploits.
Jamshidi, who suits up for Azad University in the Iran Super League, is listed at 6-foot-5, but Bolts team manager Paolo Trillo told The Philippine Star that the 24-year old met the prescribed height 6-foot-3 for Asian imports for the season-ending PBA Governors’ Cup.
"I was looking at three Iranian players thinking I would not be able to get Mohammad but when I measured him and he stood at 6-foot-3, I got excited because he is a very good basketball player and will help our team," said Trillo.
"I am excited for the opportunity to play here in the Philippines and the PBA. The fans here are incredible and so is their passion for the game," said Jamshidi during a cellphone interview with reporter Rick Olivarez before he was brought by Trillo to the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City for his official measurement. "They also appreciate good basketball and I hope that with my style, I can help Meralco."
Although Jamshidi has been with the Iran national team since 2012, it was only during the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup in Wuhan, China where he finally got meaningful playing time and emerged as the team’s second best scorer behind center Hamed Haddadi. The Shahrekord, Iran native posted averaged of 13.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists en route to his team’s gold medal finish.
During Iran’s 76-55 win against the Philippines, Jamshidi led Iran with 19 points.
However, when in the 2015 FIBA Asia tournament in Changsha, China, Jamshidi’s production went down to 5.2 points and 3.0 boards in nine matches as Iran settled for a bronze medal finish.
With Allen Durham and Jamshidi at the frontcourt, coach Norman Black will now have the luxury of sliding Jared Dillinger to the backcourt together with Chris Newsome.
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