What happened: Darius Garland presented Alireza Beiranvand with the Superior Player of the Match Award following the Belgium versus Iran match. Garland handed the honor to Beiranvand, the goalkeeper recognized as the standout of the contest.

Why it matters: The cameo is an unusual cross-sport crossover for Garland, surfacing during the NBA offseason rather than on the basketball floor. Appearances like this keep a guard's profile visible internationally in the months before the 2026-27 campaign tips off.

What to watch: Attention turns back to Garland's basketball calendar as the NBA offseason runs toward the start of the 2026-27 season.