Aaron Geramipoor Looks Forward to Clinching FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Berth

Team Melli will meet Saudi Arabia and Syria on November 27 and 30 in Doha, Qatar in the Window 2 of FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers.

"As a team, we are confident and we are looking forward to this next window to play against international competition once again," Aaron Geramipoor, Iran's up-and-coming big man, told FIBA.com.

"Since COVID-19 struck, many sporting events and games worldwide have been paused, so it's great that this event is safely going ahead," he added.

Geramipoor did not play with his fellow countrymen in the first window, but is expected to make his Qualifiers debut in the upcoming games in Doha. He is among one of the 20 players named to Iran's preliminary roster, a list which also includes some of the best Team Melli has to offer.

Though they have the expected upper hand with the highly touted names on their roster, Iran will not be heading into these next two games against Saudi Arabia and Syria with a sense of complacency.

Geramipoor might have yet to play in the Qualifiers with this team, but his experience playing in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 with the squad is all he needs to know that they will always put in their best effort no matter who they face.

"Every game we enter as a team, we are sure to take it seriously and are always focused on the task at hand. We respect our opponents and do our best on the day. I don't believe we will enter with a mindset of complacency," he said.

"We respect every team we face and we will focus on playing our team style of basketball and focus on our strengths under the guidance of Coach Shahintab."

If Iran can stay undefeated and secure both wins in this next window, it will automatically qualifies for FIBA Asia Cup 2021. As the owner of the most Asia Cup titles (3) since 2007 and Asia Cup 2017 runner-up, it wouldn't be much of a surprise if Iran would be the first team to officially lock up a ticket back to Asia's premier competition.

That's why fans can expect to see them put on a show in the upcoming games.

"I'd say, there will be some great basketball being played during this window, and you don't want to miss out on it," Geramipoor said.

"So stream the games and support us from the safety of your homes."