Haddadi Arrives In Memphis

New Grizzlies center Hamed Haddadi touched down at Memphis Internatioanl Airport early Friday afternoon, ending speculation that the Iranian's entrance into the United States would be delayed due to immigration issues.

Haddadi was greeted at the airport by Grizzlies General Manager and Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Wallace, Director of Player Personnel Tony Barone, Sr., and Director of Scouting Tony Barone, Jr., as well as members of the Memphis Iranian community.

“We are pleased to sign Hamed,” said Chris Wallace, the Grizzles GM. “He is a young center who was very productive as a rebounder, shotblocker and scorer at the Rocky Mountain Revue Summer League in Salt Lake City, Utah, the 2008 Olympics and the FIBA Diamond Ball Tournament in Nanjing, China prior to the Olympics. Our coaching staff is eager to begin working with Hamed.”

Grizzlies training camp begins Tuesday, September 30.

Haddadi, who spent the 2007-08 season playing for Saba Battery BC in the Iranian Super League join former Grizzlies Jake Tsakalidis and Cezary Trybanski as the tallest players in franchise history. He is also the second Grizzlies player to appear in the 2008 Olympics, joining center Marc Gasol, who captured a silver medal with the Spanish National Team.