Iraq scored a major upset in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 qualifying round with a 74-66 victory over Iran.
Iraq was led by U.S.-born DeMario Mayfield with 24 points in the victory on November 24 at the Prince Hamza Arena in Amman, Jordan.
Mayfield received his Iraqi citizenship to become eligible to play for the national team.
He played for three universities in the United States, but was charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery and served 10 months in a work-jail program and a year’s probation.
He said he went to play in Iraq to rebuild his reputation on the basketball court.
Iran was ranked 22nd in the world before the loss, while Iraq was 85th.
Iraq will next face Kazakhstan on November 27 in Astana. Iran will host Qatar in Tehran the same day.
