Iranian star Hamed Haddadi re-signs with Memphis Grizzlies

TEHRAN,Jan.2(MNA)-- America’s premium basketball team the Memphis Grizzlies have re-signed Iranian star Hamed Haddadi. Per team policy and terms of the deal were not disclosed, Grizzlies website reported on Saturday. The 26-year-old is the first Iranian ever to play in the NBA. The 7-foot-2 reserve center averaged 2.4 points with 2.2 rebounds in 31 games last season for the Grizzlies. In three years with the Grizzlies, the 7-foot-2 reserve center only appeared 86 times for the team, averaging 2.2 points. Haddadi native of Ahvaz led his country to an 8-1 record at the 2011 FIBA Asian Championship, which was held in China in September, averaging 15.4 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.89 blocks in 26.3 minutes with six double-doubles in nine games during the tournament. The Grizzlies announced the deal on Saturday. Haddadi returned to Memphis and signed a one-year deal that will pay him between $1 million to $1.5 million this season, reports say.