MANILA (Enzo Flojo's Asia on My Mind) - With the Iran Basketball Federation revitalized by new leadership, will iconic forward Samad Nikkhah Bahrami finally return to the national team?

Bahrami, of course, is from the golden generation that gave Iran a handful of Asian titles from 2007 to 2016. Together with other Iranian stalwarts like Hamed Haddadi and Mahdi Kamrani, Bahrami was at the vanguard of Team Melli, leading the powerhouse squad to one stint in the Olympics (2008) and two appearances at the FIBA Basketball World Cup (2010 and 2014). With the 6ft 7in (1.99m) forward putting one stellar performance after another, Iran were able to establish themselves as a rising power and eventually cement their place among the elite in Asia.

He last saw action for them in the FIBA Asia Cup 2015 as Iran finished on the podium behind China and the Philippines. Bahrami was already 32 years old then, but he still managed to be among Iran's top players, averaging 13.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per contest. At the end of the competition, though, Bahrami went on his way to focus on his professional career in the Chinese Basketball Association. He has not played for Team Melli ever since.

A recent development, however, may have paved the way for Bahrami's national team comeback. A little more than a week ago, the Iran Basketball Federation elected a new president - Ramin Tabatabaei, who replaces Mahmoud Mashhoon. Masshoon was the IRIBF President for 14 years, prioritizing a strong youth movement in the last two years, but this election won by Tabatabaei seems to have opened the possibility for the return of some veterans to the fold, most notably Bahrami.

Tabatabaei himself, in fact, stated in a recent interview that Bahrami would be ready to play for Team Melli as early as their crucial 22 February bout against unbeaten Kazakhstan in the second window of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers. This is potentially huge for Iran, which missed the services of some top tier talents in the first window, where they won against Qatar but absorbed a shocking loss to upstarts Iraq.

Iranian fans were quite unhappy about that result, but that may have been the spark that will give renewed vigor to the national team, which now find themselves with their backs against the wall heading into their February fixtures.

If or when Bahrami does return to the national side, he will undoubtedly give them one of their best wing scoring options alongside young hotshot Behnam Yakhchali. Even at 34 years of age, Bahrami can still hack it with the best of Asia, which he proves night in and night out as a player for the Nanjing Tongxi Monkey King in the CBA, averaging 13.9 points, 7.7 boards and 1.3 steals per game. He may have to supplant current starter Mohammad Jamshidi at the 3 spot, but that's a decision best left at the hands of head coach Mehran Hatami.

Will Bahrami's impending return be a boon or a bane for Iran, especially with their solid young stars eager to show their wares on the big stage? Only time will tell with certainty, but with Bahrami potentially back in the fold, loyal Team Melli fans should have their faith restored that stability and consistency can once again be expected from their heroes.

Enzo Flojo

FIBA

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