DUBAI (United Arab Emirates) - It's never easy being nicknamed after an icon.

But Sajjad Pazrofteh feels even honored.

The Gorgan big man has embraced the 'Abedzadeh' moniker given to him by the Iranian fans as he drew comparisons to legendary goalkeeper Ahmadreza Abedzadeh with how he has maximized his massive hands to his advantage.

For the younger ones, Abedzadeh is best known for helping Team Melli reach the 1998 FIFA World Cup by beating Australia in the AFC-OFC qualification play-offs for the country's first World Cup appearance in 20 years.

Those crucial matches saw the shot-stopper give the Socceroos a hard time through his solid parries and deflections and whatnot, and that kind of hand ability immediately reminded fans of him upon seeing the 2.00 M (6'7") Pazrofteh.

As far as he remembers, Pazrofteh first heard being called "Sajjad e Abedzadeh" during their Semi-Final series versus Chemidor Qom in the Iranian Super League last year, when he grabbed down a rebound with just one hand.

"One game versus Australia that we had in the qualification for the World Cup, in a very, very crucial moment he kept the ball with his one hand. This is one of the biggest moments in our soccer history," recalled Mohammad Jamshidi.

"And because Sajjad grabbed a rebound with one hand, it reminded everybody of Abedzadeh," the 31-year-old veteran internationalist added.

Pazrofteh, who wasn't even a year old when Abedzadeh and Iran shocked the world, would since hear that nickname often. It's no different in the ongoing West Asia Super League (WASL) Final 8 being held at the City of Gold.

Fans cheered his nickname during Gorgan's duel with Kuwait Club in Friday night's opener. Seemingly fired up with that, he went on to finish with 15 points and 6 rebounds, albeit in a losing effort against the still-undefeated side, 95-85.

That game also saw the 26-year-old bring his signature celebration to the Final 8, where he looks at his right hand right after a dunk or a tough shot.

Fans are no longer oblivious to that celly, for he has done it many times during the WASL-West Asia League. But he's actually been doing it for years now.

Although he could no longer remember some of the details, all that Pazrofteh could recount is that he pulled it off for the first time during the 39th William Jones Cup back in 2017, when Iran participated in the annual tournament in Taipei.

From then on, he's made it part of his game, and fans would always express their appreciation when he does that as it usually comes after a highlight-worthy play.

"I grabbed a rebound with one hand. All the fans were just cheering for me and that was when I did this, looking at my hand," he remembered.

Definitely, he won't stop doing it any time soon. After all, it's become part of who Sajjad Pazrofteh -- or Sajjad e Abedzadeh, for some -- is.

"I have big hands, and that's my advantage. Whenever I do it, I feel good. It gives me energy for the rest of the game," he said.

FIBA