By Haleh Yarmohammadi, AUSF Student Media Contributor
12 June 2026
TEHRAN, IRAN — With the clock ticking down and blood dripping from her broken nose, Asal Nastaran-Tehrani refused to step aside. She subbed back onto the court to save her team from elimination at the 2023 Iranian 3×3 Basketball Under-23 National Championships.
“I could see disappointment on my coach’s face, like everyone thought the game was over,” Asal said.
Retaking the floor, she grabbed consecutive crucial rebounds and scored the buzzer-beating basket to secure a dramatic victory, eventually leading her team to the championship title.
Playing through pain with a broken nose became one of the defining moments of her life — and a lesson she still carries today.
This unwavering determination did not appear overnight.
Asal’s Basketball Journey
Like many other players, Asal Nastaran-Tehrani developed a passion for basketball during childhood and started playing at around the age of nine. At school, her coaches encouraged her to take the sport more seriously because of her height. Gradually, she entered a more professional environment and, after three to four years of consistent training, was selected at the age of 14 as the youngest member of Iran’s Under-16 national team. She traveled with the squad to India to compete in the Asian Under-16 Championships.
The Light That Lit her Path
Throughout all those years of ups and downs, despite the hardships and relentless efforts required to reach the highest levels of success in sports, there was always a light guiding Asal’s path.
“My mother,” Asal shared. “With her encouragement, support, and selfless sacrifices, she became my greatest source of motivation and strength. At every step, she helped me rise again, keep moving forward, and get closer to the dreams we held in our hearts.”
Her devoted mother never spoke of medals or victories. Before a game, she would just say, “Go do what you know how to do. What matters is that you enjoy the game.” That simple truth was enough to take all the pressure off the young athlete’s shoulders.
International Stage: Brazil 2025
As an experienced athlete on the international stage, Asal’s most notable recent memory takes her back to the FISU World University Basketball Championship in Brazil in 2025.
The journey began at the 7th edition of the Asian University 3×3 Basketball Championship in 2025, where her university’s 3×3 basketball team earned a wild card for the Asian competitions. About three to four months later, the team traveled to Brazil with a new lineup to compete in the World University Games.
During the group stage, Iran faced prestigious university teams from Ukraine, Spain, and Canada. “Interestingly, those three teams eventually finished first, second, and third in the tournament,” Asal noted, reflecting on the extremely high level of basketball in those countries.
Although the Iranian women’s 3×3 basketball team did not advance past the group stage, competing against European and North American opponents provided a valuable opportunity for technical development. This international experience contributed greatly to the players’ growth and became an unforgettable journey for the entire team.
Bringing the Experience Home: Mashhad 2026
Building upon those international lessons, the recent 3×3 basketball qualification tournament in Mashhad, Iran, held in May 2026, served as another major learning opportunity for her. The competition was fierce featuring strong teams from some of the country’s top universities, such as Shahid Beheshti University and the University of Tehran. These matchups created an intense atmosphere, especially with players who brought professional league experience to the court.
“Our team, Payam Nour University, traveled to the tournament venue several days in advance with careful planning,” Asal said. “This gave us enough time for joint practices, better coordination with the coach, and strengthening our team spirit.”
Although most of the roster remained the same as the previous tournament, replacing one player created both a new challenge and an opportunity for further growth. In the end, the competition provided a rewarding atmosphere full of learning experiences and positive challenges for all participating teams.
Lessons Beyond the Court
Reflecting on her journey from local courts to global arenas, Asal shared a philosophy that goes far beyond the scoreboard:
“Basketball has taught me to make better decisions and that mistakes aren’t failures—every loss is a bridge to success. From every win, loss, pride, and disappointment, I’ve learned lessons that help me grow stronger and better in life.”
