NBA Players from Iran: Full List (2026)
1 NBA player has come from Iran, by Wikipedia’s count. As of October 2026, none is on an NBA roster. The most recent was Hamed Haddadi (2008-2013).
NBA players from Iran at a glance
| NBA players, all time | 1 (Wikipedia count) |
|---|---|
| On NBA rosters, October 2026 | None |
| First to play in the NBA | Hamed Haddadi (2008) |
| Longest NBA career | Hamed Haddadi (5 seasons) |
| Centers | 1: Hamed Haddadi |
| 7-foot prospects in our database | None right now |
| Last checked | 9 October 2026 |
Every NBA player from Iran
Sorted by NBA debut, earliest first. Status is as of October 2026, before the 2026-27 regular season, so it includes players on training camp deals.
| Player | Position | NBA seasons | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamed Haddadi | Center | 2008-2013 | Former player |
Players from Iran in the NBA in 2026-27
No player from Iran is on an NBA roster as of October 2026.
NBA centers from Iran
1 of the 1 player in the table played center or forward/center: Hamed Haddadi (2008-2013).
7-Foot Prospects from Iran
No active player from Iran listed at 7 feet or taller and born in 2001 or later is in our 7-Foot Prospect Database right now (last checked on 9 October 2026). The database tracks nearly 400 young 7-footers from 61 countries, and we add new names as they appear.
Player profiles from our archive
This section was first published in 2018. Teams and career details in it are as of that time; the tables above show where things stand in October 2026.
The Iranians are a powerhouse in the Asian basketball arena. Their basketball league is one of the best in the region, some of their players have experience playing in big European clubs, and one of their best players has played in the NBA. As a result, the Iranian National Basketball Team has won three gold medals on the last five FIBA Asia competitions. At the same time, their international success is limited to only two appearances at the FIBA World Cup and two at the Summer Olympic Games.
Iran NBA Players
Hamed Haddadi
Haddadi is an Iranian professional basketball player born May 19th, 1985. He is 7’2″ tall and plays as an NBA center for Petrochimi Bandar Imam and the Iranian National Team. In 2008 he signed with the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA. He stayed with them for five years until he was traded to Toronto in 2013. From there he was sent to Phoenix Suns before coming back to the Iranian League. He also spent few seasons in the top Chinese basketball league playing for Qingdao DoubleStar Eagles (2014-2015) and Sichuan Blue Whales (2015-2017). Currently, he is under contract with Petrochimi Bandar Imam. During his career he has won several MVP awards: 2× CBA All-Star (2014, 2016), CBA Finals MVP (2016), 4× FIBA Asia Championship MVP (2007, 2009, 2013, and 2017) and William Jones Cup MVP (2013).
It does not look like Haddadi will get another shot in the NBA, since his old school back to the basket game is not suited for the modern NBA. It remains to be seen if Iran can produce additional NBA talent like Haddadi.
Frequently asked questions
How many NBA players are from Iran?
Wikipedia counts 1.
Which players from Iran are in the NBA in 2026-27?
None as of October 2026. The most recent was Hamed Haddadi (2008-2013).
Who was the first NBA player from Iran?
Hamed Haddadi, who debuted in 2008.
Which centers from Iran have played in the NBA?
Hamed Haddadi.
Are there 7-foot prospects from Iran?
Not right now. Our 7-Foot Prospect Database has no active player from Iran listed at 7 feet or taller and born in 2001 or later.
More guides: NBA players by country. Scouting reports: NBA center prospects.
Sources: Wikipedia, List of NBA players born outside the United States (revision of 3 October 2026); RealGM NBA player list (9 October 2026); Low Key NBA 7-Foot Prospect Database. U.S.-born players with family ties to Iran may be missing from the table. Last checked 9 October 2026.
