Page 69 - Javanan Magazine Issue # 1915

ISSUE No. 1915
JAVANAN
Shahs of Basketball

NCAA Ballers Parsa Fallah, Arman Madi, Ali Sabet

and Pasha Goodarzi Lead a New Wave of Iranian

College Hoopers in the US

BY: MAYAR ZOKAEI

The college basketball season just ner senior year at Loras ColC
ended and multiple divisions across lege in Iowa, averaging 18.9
the US crowned their champions the points while shooting 41%
past two months. on threeCpoint attempts. Sabet
The true kings of the amateur hoops’ exploded for 41 points – a reC
scene, however, were anointed as cord for any Iranian player in
royalty before they ever stepped on a the U.S., college or pro – in a
court. Javanan Magazine is proud to February game against Buena
introduce our readers to the Shahs of Vista University.
Basketball, a group of pioneering colC
legiate basketball players of Iranian All of these players
descent who are setting the standard are not only accomC
and paving the way for future IraniC plished on the court,
an athletes in their pursuit but leaders and
of collegiate sports opporC highCcharacter inC
tunities and success in the dividuals off it who
US. credit their families
NCAA Ballers Parsa Fallah and the support they
(Southern Utah University, received from them
Oregon State University), for propelling them
Arman Madi (Northern AriC to such heights. We
zona University), Ali SaC conducted a short
bet (Loras College) and question and anC
Pasha Goodarzi (San swer session with
Jose State University) the ballers who grace
led a contingent of our cover this week, and
six Iranian college without further ado, here is
hoopers in the US what they had to say:
this past season.
The Shahs of Javanan Magazine: How
Basketball does it feel to be one of the
t his past season few Iranian NCAA basket-
i nC cluded ball players in history?
IraniC anCCanadian
Iman K heirati Ali Sabet: It’s honestly really
(NCAA DiC cool to be one of the few playC
v iC sion Chr C ing. It shows how hard it is to
tian Brothers University in play college ball regardless
Memphis, Tennessee) and of division. Also shows how
Amir Poat (NAIA Div. 1 blessed we are to have the opC
Peru State University in NeC portunity.
braska).
Pasha Goodarzi: It’s truly an
Arman Madi, a 6Cfoot, 6Cinch honor, and I’m super grateC
wing, and Pasha Goodarzi ful that I’m able to represent
(6C3 combo guard) share the Persian/Iranian Hoopers, and
distinction of having played I just hope I can inspire the
with Bronny James – the next generation of Persian basC
oldest son of NBA star LeBC ketball players to reach their
ron James – on the travel ball dreams and show that it is
circuit in high school and are possible to play at the highest
the first Iranian athletes at level. It’s something I don’t
their respective schools. take for granted, and pushes
me to be better every day.
Parsa Fallah, A 6’ 9” power
forward, ranked among the Parsa Fallah: It feels good.
leaders in field goal perC I know there are more playC
centage in NCAA Div. 1 at ers deserve to be here but beC
Southern Utah, has played cause of their situation, they
for the Iranian national team may never get a chance. I
am very lucky and blessed.
and just recently committed
to fulfill his last years of
eligibility at Oregon State Arman Madi: It’s aweC
under Head Coach Wayne some to be one of the
Tinkle. few Iranian NCAA
basketball players.
Ali Sabet, a native of Illinois It’s been a lifelong
and 3Cyear starter, had a banC dream to play colC
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