Latest news with #NateMason
Al Etihad
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Al Etihad
Dubai Basketball make history with semis berth on ABA League debut
22 May 2025 01:33 DUBAI (ALETIHAD)The history-making Dubai Basketball team extended their giant-killing run by winning the decider against Cedevita Olimpija in Game 3 of their quarter-final in the ABA League on Tuesday third in the regulation league and going up against the sixth-placed rivals from Slovenia, Dubai Basketball booked a spot among the last four on home turf with a dominant 85-76 victory at the Coca-Cola their debut year of competing in the league, Dubai Basketball have now set up a clash with Serbian giants Partizan in a best-of-three semi-final series, beginning on May 26 in Belgrade before heading to Dubai for the second leg on May Basketball got home advantage by virtue of finishing ahead of their opponents but only managed a narrow one-point victory and against the formidable showing in the league. That was followed by a 89-94 defeat to send the heart of UAE fans skipping a what was their most decisive game of the season yet, Dubai then came out firing from tip-off, controlling the tempo and momentum from the first whistle. Closing the first quarter eight points ahead they never looked breakthrough came in the early minutes of the second quarter. With disciplined defence and swift ball movement, Dubai surged to an 11-point lead with only half of the second quarter to play – marking the game's turning point. Cedevita Olimpija struggled to recover from the early deficit, unable to regain control or close the gap for the remainder of the the charge was Nate Mason, once again proving himself as the team's top scorer for the night. The point guard delivered a masterclass performance, finishing with 18 points, four rebounds, and two assists. His control across the night and leadership on-court saw him adjudged Man of the Basketball's consistency and composure were reflected in the numbers. Shooting an impressive 48.2% from the field compared to Olimpija's 40%, the home side made every possession count, exploiting gaps in the Slovenian defence and converting under Jurica Golemac praised the team's mental preparation and energy on the court. 'Credit to Cedevita Olimpija for a great series. We knew this was going to be our toughest matchup, but we didn't shy away from the challenge. We came out to prove we were the better team – and we did just that.' 'We fought for 40 minutes, stayed on our feet, and supported one another throughout. I want to thank the fans – tonight, they were our sixth player. Every time we started to feel the fatigue, they gave us that extra push.' Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Khaleej Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
ABA League: Dubai Basketball score 85-76 win over Slovenia's Cedevita Olimpija
Dubai Basketball secured a historic place in the ABA League semi-finals after a dominant 85-76 win over Slovenia's Cedevita Olimpija in Game 3 of the quarter-finals at Coca-Cola Arena. Dubai's home team, in just their first year of competing in the league, will now face Serbian giants Partizan in a best-of-three semi-finals series beginning on May 26 in Belgrade before heading back to Dubai for the second leg on Thursday, May 29 at 7.30pm. In what was their most decisive game of the season yet, Dubai came out firing from tip-off, controlling the tempo and momentum from the first whistle. Playing in front of an emphatic home crowd, the team made an early statement, closing the first quarter eight points ahead and never looking back. The breakthrough came in the early minutes of the second quarter. With disciplined defence and swift ball movement, Dubai surged to an 11-point lead with only half of the second quarter to play — marking the game's turning point. Cedevita Olimpija struggled to recover from the early deficit, unable to regain control or close the gap for the remainder of the match. Leading the charge was Nate Mason, once again proving himself as the team's top scorer for the night. The point guard delivered a masterclass performance, finishing with 18 points, four rebounds, and two assists. His control across the night and leadership on-court has awarded him the title of man-of-the-match. Dubai Basketball's consistency and composure were reflected in the numbers. Shooting an impressive 48.2 per cent from the field compared to Olimpija's 40 per cent, the home side made every possession count, exploiting gaps in the Slovenian defence and converting under pressure. Coach Jurica Golemac praised the team's mental preparation and energy on the court, 'Credit to Cedevita Olimpija for a great series. We knew this was going to be our toughest quarter-final matchup, but we didn't shy away from the challenge. We came out to prove we were the better team — and we did just that.' 'We fought for 40 minutes, stayed on our feet, and supported one another throughout. I want to thank the fans — tonight, they were our sixth player. Every time we started to feel the fatigue, they gave us that extra push.' The road ahead gets tougher as they prepare to face Serbian powerhouse Partizan Mozzart Bet in the semi-finals. But with momentum, belief, and a home crowd behind them, Dubai Basketball are ready for the next chapter of their historic run with their fans by their side. Fans can secure their spot now for the semi-finals and support their team on Thursday, May 29 at the Coca-Cola Arena against one of Europe's biggest teams.
Dubai Eye
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Dubai Eye
Dubai Basketball edge out Cedevita Olimpija in dramatic win
Dubai Basketball clinched a 86:85 victory over Slovenia's Cedevita Olimpija in Game 1 of the ABA League Quarter Finals at Coca-Cola Arena. A one-point margin was all that separated the home side from the sixth-seeded Slovenian visitors in what turned out to be one of the most dramatic games of the season. The win, held at Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena in front of nearly a sold-out crowd, gave Dubai a 1:0 lead in the best-of-three series. From the opening whistle to the final buzzer, neither side managed to establish a defining lead. 'We know Cedevita Olimpija is a very good team, a very physical team - it will be a tough game,' said Dubai Basketball coach Jurica Golemac in the pre-game press conference - accurately predicting what was to come. Neither side managed to stretch the lead beyond two points by the end of a quarter, with momentum shifting possession by possession. That was until Cedevita took advantage of Dubai's sudden defensive lapse. As the third quarter drew closer, the home team were edging towards a 10-point deficit. But just when momentum seemed to be shifting away, the crowd - nearly 5,000 strong - rose to the occasion to urge on the home team to make the comeback that ensured the win. 'This was a real playoff game. We had everything,' said Dubai head coach Jurica Golemac post-match. 'We were down three times and kept coming back. We never gave up, despite all the problems and everything that happened.' American guard Nate Mason set the tone with an early jump shot and went on to deliver a standout performance, finishing with 18 points and five assists. He was named Man of the Match, sharing top scorer honours with team captain Klemen Prepelič. Prepelič, reflecting on the team's unrelenting spirit, said, 'There was no moment where we thought we were out of this. It was all about passion and hard work. We've worked all season to earn this home-court advantage - and tonight we played with pride. The fans were incredible, and I think that energy pushed us. Everyone's fighting for each other, and that passion showed on the floor.' Dubai Basketball's will next face Cedevita Olimpija in their hometown, Ljubljana. As Coach Golemac said after the final buzzer, 'We protected our home court, which we earned throughout the season. Now we're going there to finish it.'
The National
12-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Dubai Basketball edge out Cedevita Olimpija by single point in thrilling ABA play-offs opener
Dubai Basketball's magnificent debut season in the Adriatic Basketball Association (ABA) shows no sign of slowing down following a thrilling 86-85 play-off victory over Slovenia's Cedevita Olimpija on Sunday. In Game 1 of the best-of-three quarter-final tussle in front of a near sold-out crowd at the Coca Cola Arena, just one point separated the two teams with Dubai edging the sixth-seeded Slovenians. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, was present for the victory which stretched the home side's win streak to an impressive 14 matches. Dubai now travel to the Stozice Arena in Ljubljana on Friday for Game 2 looking to maintain a run that helped end the regular season in third place with a 25-5 record. They finished just one point behind table-topping Buducnost and Partizan in second with Cedevita Olimpija down in sixth. The last time Jurica Golemac's team were beaten was against Cedevita Olimpija – also by one point – back in January making Sunday's victory even sweeter. 'This was a real play-off game. We had everything,' said Dubai's Slovenian head coach Golemac. 'We were down three times and kept coming back. We never gave up, despite all the problems and everything that happened.' Dubai's American guard Nate Mason set the tone with an early jump shot and went on to deliver a standout performance, finishing with 18 points and five assists. He was named player of the match, sharing top-scorer honours with captain Klemen Prepelic. 'There was no moment where we thought we were out of this. It was all about passion and hard work,' Prepelic said. 'We've worked all season to earn this home-court advantage – and tonight we played with pride. The fans were incredible, and I think that energy pushed us. Everyone's fighting for each other, and that passion showed on the floor.' Next up for the UAE side is a trip to Slovenia where victory will seal a semi-final spot; lose and the series goes down to a deciding match in Dubai on May 20. 'We protected our home court, which we earned throughout the season,' added Golemac. 'Now we're going there to finish it.' Before Sunday's game, Golemac had made clear that while reaching the play-offs despite only being together for 10 months can be considered an achievement, the team was hungry for more success. 'It's a new challenge for us now; we are not giving up, we are not satisfied with this, what we did until now. We are a very ambitious side,' said Golemac, a former coach at Cedevita Olimpija. 'We want to show everybody the results we have in the regular season … We can achieve a better one in the play-offs. 'We are healthy, we are full of ambitions, full of confidence, and with our fans behind us, we are ready to achieve great things.'
Arab News
27-02-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
'Dream come true': Dubai Basketball's Nate Mason enjoying life in the UAE
DUBAI: Fresh off another big win on the road in Serbia and with Dubai Basketball's playoff debut fast approaching, one name has stood out since the beginning of their journey: Nate Mason. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport The 29-year-old American point guard, Dubai Basketball's first signing, has been a driving force behind the team's success. From the moment he stepped on the court, Mason has been more than just a playmaker — he has embodied the ambition, resilience, and determination that define Dubai's rise in the basketball world. 'Dubai Basketball was probably the topic of discussion everywhere — in locker rooms, practices, and front offices,' he said. 'Everyone had their eye on Dubai,' said Mason, who has 188 points to his name in the ABA League this season. 'I feel very fortunate to be here, especially as the first player the team signed, and I truly appreciate the opportunity. More importantly, this is a dream come true.' Mason's journey to Dubai was anything but ordinary. Having played in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, he has developed a dynamic, adaptable game that has made him a vital asset to the team. His impact on and off the court has been evident — whether leading in points and assists or inspiring teammates with his relentless drive. 'Playing in different leagues has helped me develop significantly. Each region plays a different style of basketball,' Mason said. 'In Asia, scoring and teamwork are emphasized, while in the Middle East, you need a combination of both, along with versatility. Now, at this level, I feel that my experiences have come together perfectly.' Beyond basketball, Mason is driven by a deeper purpose — his family. His son, born in 2024, has become his ultimate motivation. 'He's my biggest blessing yet,' Mason said. 'He motivates me to go as hard as possible every time I step on the court. I want to set an example for him — that nothing in life comes easy.' Dubai Basketball has taken the region by storm, with growing fan engagement and packed arenas. Mason has noticed the shift firsthand. 'From the first game to now, I've noticed more fans getting involved, learning about the team, and even starting chants at the right moments. Dubai is known as a big football city, but I believe basketball can carve out a strong following.' With a crucial game against Cibona approaching, Dubai Basketball is ready to display their talent again. Fans can expect a competitive encounter, with Mason likely to play a key role as the team aims to push for another important victory. Tickets for the game on March 2 at Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, are available now.
