NBA Draft: "He's 7-5, 260 pounds, with a 8-foot wingspan. He turned eighteen less than a week ago. He.s a shot blocker with a soft shooting touch. He comes from Iran, and he can grab the rim flat footed and dunk on his tippy-toes! The natural reaction to .from Iran. is, .So he can.t play, right?. But he can. He.s still raw but not as raw as you might imagine."

"Jaber Rouzbahani has been playing basketball for less than four years. He played Yao Ming in an Asian Tournament last year and held him to 15 points. (About half of what Yao was averaging in the tournament.) He also played at the (19-under) World Junior Championships in Thessaloniki, Greece last summer in front of NBA scouts averaging 12 points and 8 rebounds per game and an eye opening 7 blocks, leading the entire tournament. "

Strengths: Huge frame and (8 foot) wingspan. Truly a giant. Plays like a center. Great shot blocking potential. Has a soft touch out to 12-15 feet. Because he hasn't had any real basketball coaches work with him, his potential to develop quickly is very good. He has a great attitude, really wants to improve. Compeitive, will go hard to the basket even when being pushed around or fouled.

According to NBA Mock Draft, he might go to Portland next season. He's also one of the youngest among this year's draftees.

Mojgan sent me this picture and I added a bar showing how tall I look comparing to Jaber (and this comparison makes more sense to the people who know me..) Besides, he lives in the Bay Area now, so I might be able to get him to play in one of our Thursday evening basketball matches with Good Technology guys.

Related:

• NBA Draft Early Entries (MSNBC)
• 2004 NBA Draft - International players early entry list (USA Today)