New Zealand released a 25-player provisional roster for the national basketball team this week, and one of the names on it drew a lot attention: Steven Adams, the starting center of the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder.

Adams, 25, stands 2.13 meters tall, weighs, 120 kilograms and is considered by many to be the league's strongest and most physical player due to his imposing physique.  During the 2018-19 season, Adams averaged 13.9 points, 9.5 rebounds and one block per game for OKC. His offensive rebounding can be a nightmare for every opponent's inside players.

Though Adams is from New Zealand, he has never played for the country because of the frictions between him and Basketball New Zealand. In a book he published recently about his early career, Adams complained about the treatment he received from Basketball New Zealand when he was young,

However, the country's only NBA player has never publicly stated he does not want to play for New Zealand. "Obviously we would love to have him but ultimately that decision comes down to Steve," said Paul Henare, head coach of the country's national team.

New Zealand will want Adams on their side at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China. The tournament is also the qualifying event for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. As the only two teams from Oceania, both New Zealand and Australia are aiming for the single spot to automatically qualify them for Tokyo, and only the team with better result in China this year can claim it.

Though Australia have multiple NBA players like Ben Simmons and Joe Ingles, they are also in Group H, the "Group of Death," with Lithuania, Canada and Senegal. By contrast, New Zealand are in Group F with Greece, Brazil and Montenegro, a relatively easier group to break out. 

Iran also announced a 19-player provisional roster for the national basketball team. Hamed Haddadi, 32, and Samad Nikkhah Bahrami, 36, both made the list.

Both players have already played two World Cups (World Championships) for their country. Their experience will be helpful for Iran, which have been trying to make their franchise younger.

Iran are in Group C with Spain, Puerto Rico and Tunisia. They will meet their first opponent, Puerto Rico, on August 31 in Guangzhou City, south China's Guangdong Province.