Oregon Ducks Basketball: Arsalan Kazemi Making Most of First Season at Oregon

It was unclear if Arsalan Kazemi would be able to play this season for the Oregon Ducks. Kazemi was one of six players transferring out of Rice to various different schools.

Usually, transfer students are required to sit out one season before they are allowed to play at their new school. However, Kazemi was cleared to play for Oregon this season on November 15th. This was because Rice signed off on waviers for Kazemi because “allegations coming forth from both players regarding their experiences and poor treatment while at Rice.” (Source: CBS Sports)

Nov 23, 2012; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Arsalan Kazemi (14) and Damyean Dotson (21) celebrate a UNLV Runnin

When he first played for the Oregon Ducks this season, the team was already 3-0 and seemed to be rolling.

Kazemi’s first game was against Jacksonville State and it was not a great scoring night, but he came up big in other aspects. He only scored two points and went 1-of-5 from the field. However, he racked up eight rebounds and five steals in the Oregon win.

Arsalan Kazemi has really come to play in both of Oregon’s last two games.

On November 29th, he scored 20 points and went 8-of-9 from the field. He also had six rebounds, five steals, and three blocks. This was arguably his best game thus far this season.

Then, on December 1st, Kazemi recorded his first double-double against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He scored only 11 points, but had 13 rebounds (a season-high). He also had his third game this season where he has recorded five steals.

So far this season, Arsalan Kazemi is averaging nine points per game, 9.5 rebounds per game (leads team), 3.7 steals per game (leads team), and 0.7 blocks per game (second on team) through five games.

Kazemi is making a big impact on the Oregon Ducks so far this season. It will be interesting to see how he performs the entire season, but the answer will be “just fine” if the first five game are any sort of indication.

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