TEHRAN, Aug. 25 (Mehr News Agency) -- Iranian international Hamed Haddadi says he is a star of the Memphis Grizzlies but the NBA team leaves him on the bench and off the court most of the time.

"Grizzlies' officials don't let me show my abilities. I have done my best every time I was called up to play for my team, but I don't know why they don't trust me," added Haddadi, who was the first Iranian basketball player to make it to the NBA.

"I want to play regularly for the Grizzlies; nevertheless I will have to change my team now since I am a star of the team but sitting on the bench," he told the Mehr News Agency in an interview at the MNA offices on Monday.

The 7-foot-2 player helped Iran win the 25th FIBA Asia Championship for men two weeks ago. Haddadi, who scored 31 points in Iran's final triumph two years ago, was once again the leading scorer for his side in the final with 19 points against China.

"I could not do my best against Jordan but played well against China in the final. We could have won the match even if Yao Ming would have played against us," he added.

... Payvand News - 08/26/09 ... --

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