TEHRAN – Disaster has struck Iran’s national basketball team as rising star Sina Vahedi faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a devastating ACL tear while playing for his new club, the New Taipei Kings, in the East Asia Super League (EASL).

The promising point guard, who had just joined the Taiwanese powerhouse, sustained the severe knee injury during a recent league fixture. Medical evaluations confirmed the worst: a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Vahedi will now return to Iran for surgery and an arduous rehabilitation, a decision supported by the New Taipei Kings. The club lauded his brief but impactful presence, stating: “Sina showed professionalism and a high level of commitment to the team just after one week since joining us. We respect his decision to return home for surgery, and we will coordinate everything needed for his treatment. We look forward to his strong comeback.”

The timing couldn’t be worse for Vahedi, widely regarded as one of Iran’s most exciting young talents. This brutal injury not only jeopardizes his club season but also delivers a significant blow to the national team’s coaching staff, who had earmarked him as a crucial player for the upcoming third window of the World Cup qualifiers. Vahedi is now expected to be out of action for at least six to nine months.