OSU’s Iranian Star Parsa Fallah Tears ACL, ending breakout season and likely the Cowboys’ tournament hopes
In a bittersweet overtime victory, Oklahoma State senior forward Parsa Fallah suffered a devastating ACL tear in his left knee during the Cowboys’ 91-84 win over West Virginia on Tuesday evening at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater.
The injury, confirmed via tests and announced by Fallah on Instagram the following day, marks a heartbreaking end to what had been a breakout season for the Iranian-born fan favorite, who has been a cornerstone of the team’s resurgence under second-year head coach Steve Lutz.
The incident occurred late in overtime when Fallah, attempting a breakaway dunk to seal the game, landed awkwardly with his full weight on his left leg, causing it to buckle. He crumpled to the floor in pain, unable to put weight on the knee as teammates and medical staff came to his aid.
Despite the pain, Fallah managed to hobble off the court, but the severity was evident.
In a post-game press conference, where he wasn’t originally scheduled to speak, Fallah expressed profound gratitude, calling his time at Oklahoma State “the best year I had in my college career.” He praised the fans, Coach Lutz for changing his life, and emphasized his faith, saying, “Thank you God, thank you Jesus Christ, good or bad, I always try to be grateful.”
Fallah’s emotional Instagram post the next day further highlighted his deep connection to the program. “I didn’t know last night would be the last time I’d step on that floor this season,” he wrote. “If I did, I would’ve stayed a little longer… listened to the crowd a little louder… played every second like it would never happen again.”
Accompanied by photos and videos, including clips from a YouTube video capturing his post-injury gratitude, the post garnered over 6,800 likes and comments from fans, teammates, and even university president Dr. Jim Hess who called him an embodiment of what it is to be a Cowboy.
Fallah’s journey to this moment is a testament to perseverance. Born in Amol, Iran, Fallah grew up playing various sports, including soccer under his father’s coaching. Spotted for his height and agility, he rose to become one of Iran’s top young basketball talents, competing in FIBA U-19 and U-20 tournaments.
Basketball in Iran, however, is a niche “boujee” sport with limited prospects, prompting Fallah to pursue his dream in the U.S.
In 2021, he traveled to Senegal for a U.S. visa, enduring a six-month ordeal that included allegedly paying a $300 bribe to an airport guard and living in sparse accommodations while awaiting approval. “Every day I was like, should I go back home, or should I stay?” he recalled in a 2025 interview during his time at Oregon State.
After securing his visa, Fallah joined Southern Utah, redshirting his first year before becoming a starter. He transferred to Oregon State in 2024, averaging 10.8 points early in the 2024-25 season, before moving to Oklahoma State for his final year of eligibility in 2025-26.
At OSU, Fallah thrived, averaging nearly 15 points and six rebounds per game while starting all contests. His arsenal of post moves, honed from his multi-sport background, made him a mismatch nightmare, contributing to key wins like upsets over ranked teams.
This injury couldn’t come at a worse time for the Cowboys, who sit at 17-11 overall and 5-10 in the Big 12 as of February 26, 2026. Once knocking on the door of NCAA Tournament projections after victories over No. 16 BYU and Texas A&M, earning a “first four out” spot in ESPN’s Bracketology, the team has stumbled with recent losses, falling out of contention entirely.
Fallah’s absence as a leading scorer and rebounder is detrimental, exacerbating depth issues in the frontcourt and dimming their at-large bid hopes.
With three regular-season games left, including road trips to Cincinnati and Texas Tech, OSU likely needs a deep Big 12 Tournament run for an automatic berth, a tall order without their emotional leader and top interior presence. Analysts project them on the bubble for the NIT at best, extending an NCAA drought since 2021.
Fallah, uncertain about his future but hopeful to bring his family to the U.S., leaves a legacy of heart and sacrifice. As he wrote, “Oklahoma State changed my life. Stillwater changed my life. Always a Cowboy.”