Latest news with #JuricaGolemac
Arab News
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Mfiondu Kabengele becomes Dubai Basketball's 8th signing of the summer
DUBAI: Canadian center Mfiondu Kabengele joins Dubai Basketball for the next two seasons after reaching an agreement with the club starting this September. The Canadian arrives from Reyer Venezia (Italy), where he starred last season in the EuroCup and the Italian League. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport He is the eighth new signing following the announcement of Musa, Avramovic, Wright, Kamenjas, Jaiteh, Bacon, and Anderson joining Dubai's head coach Jurica Golemac. Kabengele had a fantastic season in the EuroCup with Reyer Venezia. He was the top rebounder of the competition, averaging 9.7 rebounds per game. He added 15.4 points, 1.5 assists, and 1 steal per game in 18 matches. His impressive performance earned him a spot on the All-EuroCup First Team. In the Italian League, he was one of the best players on court. He averaged 15.2 points and 9.8 rebounds and had one of the best efficiency ratings in the competition (20.7). Before moving to Europe, Kabengele played in the NBA from 2019 to 2022. The Canadian played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics. In total, he appeared in 55 NBA games. In the G League, he had strong performances and helped the Rio Grande Valley Vipers win the title in 2022. Kabengele is set to play a key role for Dubai Basketball in their debut EuroLeague season. Looking to improve on their third-place finish in the ABA League in their inaugural season, the Dubai side have assembled a roster to compete at the highest level in Europe.
Arab News
18-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Justin Anderson poised to join Dubai Basketball from Barcelona ahead of 2025-2026 season
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball has confirmed the signing of American small forward Justin Anderson, the team's seventh major signing who joins top players from across the world under head coach Jurica Golemac ahead of their Dubai Basketball debut. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The deal will be officially confirmed once Anderson undergoes a medical check ahead of the season start. The 31-year-old forward, who is 1.98 metres tall, joins from FC Barcelona, where he made his mark with his dynamic leadership and strong defensive capacity. Dubai Basketball and Anderson have agreed on terms until 202X, elevating the club's elite roster with high-level European and NBA experience. Anderson featured in 37 EuroLeague games during the 2024-2025 season with FC Barcelona, averaging 7.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in just over 18 minutes per game. Known for his physicality, athleticism, and defensive play, Anderson played a pivotal role in Barcelona's EuroLeague playoff run as one of the best players on court despite facing a loss in Game 5 of the thrilling quarter-final series against AS Monaco. Before his stint in European basketball, Anderson kicked off his professional playing journey in 2015. Selected 21st in the NBA Draft, he spent eight seasons in the American league — playing with world-renowned teams including the Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers. Anderson's arrival is a sign of Dubai Basketball's intent to compete at the highest level of European basketball with the best talent. With his wealth of NBA and EuroLeague experience, Anderson brings depth and leadership to a growing roster. As the team prepares for its EuroLeague debut, Anderson is expected to play a central role in shaping Dubai's identity on an international stage.
Arab News
17-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Dwayne Bacon to join Dubai Basketball from Zenit Saint Petersburg
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball has added another major player to its roster with the signing of American forward Dwayne Bacon, subject to medical clearance, on a deal that runs through the 2026 season. The 1.98-meter scorer arrives from Zenit Saint Petersburg, where he averaged 16.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last season, cementing his reputation as one of Europe's most versatile offensive players. Bacon has already showcased his talents over two EuroLeague campaigns. The first was with AS Monaco in the 2021-22 season, where he averaged 14 points per game, and then with Panathinaikos the following year, lifting his average to 16.6 points per game in Greece. Before starring in Russia, Bacon also took his game beyond European borders, suiting up for the Shanghai Sharks in China and Leones de Ponce in Puerto Rico during the 2023-24 season. The 29-year-old began his career at Florida State University before being drafted by the Charlotte Hornets. Over three NBA seasons (2017–2020), Bacon made 135 appearances. He later joined the Orlando Magic for the 2020-21 campaign, playing 72 games and averaging 11.3 points. He also gained development time in the G League with the Greensboro Swarm. Now set to join Head Coach Jurica Golemac's side, Bacon brings scoring punch, veteran savvy, and big-game experience as Dubai Basketball continues to build a squad for their first EuroLeague season.
Al Etihad
24-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Dubai club to go up against the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona
25 June 2025 01:37 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD) The EuroLeague, widely recognised as one of the toughest basketball leagues in the world, have confirmed the entry of Dubai Basketball club while expanding from 18 to 20 teams, thus ratifying on a proposal in May and reported first by Aletihad . Though two slots were added, three teams will reap the benefit because Alba Berlin dropped out of the league. The Dubai debutants will thus be joined by Hapoel Tel Aviv and Valencia a historical debut season in ABA League, Dubai Basketball climbed to the play-off semi-finals before being halted by European powerhouse Partizan – the team captured the attention of thousands worldwide. Although their campaign ended shy of the final finishing in third overall, the season laid a powerful foundation for what promises to be a defining season for the club."I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the leadership of Dubai and the Dubai Sports Council for their unwavering support. Their vision and commitment have been instrumental in making the success of Dubai Basketball possible," said Abdulla Saeed Al Naboodah, Chairman and by Jurica Golemac, Dubai Basketball will make go head-to-head in their debut season with some of the most celebrated basketball teams in the world. Facing the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, and reigning champions Fenerbahce, among other elite clubs, Dubai Basketball will bring top-tier European basketball to Coca-Cola Arena from September to and co-Chief Executive Officer Dejan Kamenjašević has been a driving force behind the club's rapid rise. "Credit goes to our coaches, players and all Dubai Basketball employees who worked hard to convert this dream to a reality," said Kamenjašević. Now, with EuroLeague ahead, we have even more to show. We're building something this city has never seen before." In just their first season, Dubai Basketball attracted nearly 80,000 fans to Coca-Cola Arena, paving the way for a new era for the sport in the region. As the only Middle Eastern team represented in ABA League last season, Dubai had something to prove from day one. And in the span of a year, they firmly established themselves as top contenders in Europe. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Arab News
22-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
EuroLeague welcomes Dubai Basketball for 2025-26 season
DUBAI: EuroLeague announced its expansion from 18 to 20 teams in late May, and Dubai Basketball have now been confirmed as one of the two new teams to secure a coveted spot for the 2025-26 season. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Dubai Basketball enjoyed a historic debut season in the ABA League, reaching the playoff semifinals before being halted by European powerhouse Partizan. Although their campaign ended short of the final, finishing in third overall, the season laid a strong foundation for what promises to be a defining second season for the club. Abdulla Saeed Juma Al-Naboodah, chairman and founder of Dubai Basketball, said: 'I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the leadership of Dubai and the Dubai Sports Council for their unwavering support. Their vision and commitment have been instrumental in making the success of Dubai Basketball possible.' And, coached by Jurica Golemac, Dubai Basketball are now set to make their EuroLeague debut in 2025-26, going head-to-head with some of the most celebrated basketball teams in what is widely recognized as one of the toughest leagues in the world. Facing the likes of Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, and reigning champions Fenerbahce, Dubai Basketball will bring top-tier European basketball to the Coca-Cola Arena from September to June. Dejan Kamenjasevic, the co-founder and co-chief executive officer of Dubai Basketball, said: 'Dubai Basketball is not an instant project; it has taken us years to reach the point we are at today. But it brings me great pride to say that this team is an instant success. 'Credit goes to our coaches, players and all Dubai Basketball employees, who worked hard to convert this dream to a reality. Now, with EuroLeague ahead, we have even more to show. 'We're building something this city has never seen before, and we're excited to make history while growing the Dubai Basketball family.' Dubai Basketball attracted nearly 80,000 fans to the Coca-Cola Arena in their first season, paving the way for a new era for the sport in the region. As the only Middle Eastern team represented in the ABA League last season, Dubai had something to prove from day one. Backed by a passionate and growing fan base, the club continue to be fueled by the belief and support of the community. The side have firmly established themselves as top contenders in European basketball. With a seasoned coach who brings both professional playing experience and leadership at the highest levels of European basketball, and a talented roster including players fresh from the NBA and the EuroLeague, the team's story is just beginning. All home games will continue to be held at the Coca-Cola Arena, which boasts a capacity of 15,000 in its basketball format. As the club enter the longest season in EuroLeague history, they will welcome Europe's strongest teams to the heart of the city — marking a major milestone for basketball in the UAE and the entire region.
