TEHRAN (WABA Championship 2017) - Iran have been among the best teams in Asian basketball for the past decade but that guarantees nothing at the upcoming WABA Championship.

The event tips off on Sunday in Amman, Jordan, and while Iran have announced a roster that has players with experience, there are also newcomers that have to prove they belong.

All of the players will be hoping to impress new coach Mehran Hatami, the 52-year-old who turned out for Team Melli at the Asian Games and FIBA Asia Championships during the 1990s.

As a coach, Hatami is best known for having led the country's U18 team four years ago. He's taking nothing for granted.

"WABA is an unpredictable competition," he warned. "All the teams are ready and well prepared for it."

Because Lebanon is the host of the FIBA Asia Cup 2017, four teams will now qualify for the continental Championship at the WABA event.

Hatami is cautious, but also feeling good about his charges.

"Our players are ready," he said. "They’ve been playing a lot in the local league and they’re in great shape."

While some of the big names in Iranian basketball are not with the team now, there was a lot of promise shown by those that played last year.

At the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Italy, players like Jamshidi, Kazemi and Yakhchali had some terrific moments. The country nearly upset Mexico and reached the Semi-Finals but fell, 75-70.

One of the veterans in that team was Oshin Sahakian. He's looking forward to WABA.

"We have some young players in the camp who are trying hard to make a position and have a place in the national team," he said. "They are motivated and that's something good for us."

Experience tells Sahakian to be wary of all opponents. Yes, Iran have been one of the dominant sides in the Asian game since 2007 but they cannot rest on their laurels.

"We all believe in this team and the coaching staff. I'm sure the team will be very competitive in Jordan and hopefully just like last year emerge victorious." - Iran Basketball Federation president Mahmoud Mashhon

"WABA has always been a tough competition and therefore we have to double our efforts and concentrate more," he said. "The whole team is ready for the WABA Championship, we know this year's competition won't be an easy one at all, but we're the Iran national team."

To be anxious and nervous ahead of a tournament like the WABA Championship is not unexpected, even for a team like Iran. Even so, there is also a lot of confidence.

That self-belief is heard in the voice of Mahmoud Mashhon, the president of the country's basketball federation.

"We all believe in this team and the coaching staff," he said. "I'm sure the team will be very competitive in Jordan and hopefully just like last year emerge victorious."

FIBA