Iranian and Israeli Players Could Face Off For First Time

by Chris Tomasson

Filed under: Grizzlies, Kings, FanHouse Exclusive

DENVER -- Forget about a Tar Heel against a Dukie or a Kentucky Wildcat against a Louisville Cardinal. This is a lot different.

On Monday night in Sacramento, an Israeli player could face a player from a rival Middle East Muslim nation for the first time ever in the NBA.

Kings forward Omri Casspi is the first man from Israel ever to play in the NBA, and has three games under his belt. His team at Arco Arena next plays Memphis, which features Iran center Hamed Haddadi, a second-year man.

Before his Grizzlies met Denver on Sunday night, Haddadi told FanHouse he never has faced an Israeli player on the court because teams from his Iran, which does not recognize the Jewish nation, are not allowed to play Israel. In 2005, Haddadi said his Iranian team was not allowed to go to Argentina for the 2005 FIBA World Championship for Young Men because of the possibility of Israel being an opponent.

But Haddadi has no problems with facing Casspi.

Iranian and Israeli Players Could Face Off For First Time originally appeared on NBA FanHouse on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:52:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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