Latest news with #DubaiBasketball


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.


Dubai Eye
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Dubai Eye
Dubai Basketball signs NBA and EuroLeague veteran Justin Anderson
Dubai Basketball has confirmed the signing of American small forward Justin Anderson, in what marks the club's seventh major acquisition ahead of its much-anticipated EuroLeague debut. The deal will be finalised pending a routine medical check. The 31-year-old, who stands at 1.98 metres, arrives from Spanish powerhouse FC Barcelona, where he played a key role in their 2024/25 EuroLeague campaign. Anderson appeared in 37 games averaging 7.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists, and was widely praised for his defensive strength and leadership during the club's playoff run. A former NBA first-round draft pick, Anderson brings a wealth of experience to Dubai's squad. He spent eight seasons in the NBA with teams including the Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Brooklyn Nets before transitioning to the European circuit. Anderson joins an elite roster under Head Coach Jurica Golemac, as Dubai Basketball positions itself to compete at the highest levels of European basketball. His arrival signals the club's ambition to make a strong statement in its debut season.


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.


Arab News
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Arab News
Bosnian center Kenan Kamenjaš joins Dubai Basketball
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball have secured Bosnian centre Kenan Kamenjaš on a two-year deal, adding one of the ABA League's most promising talents to their roster ahead of the club's debut EuroLeague campaign. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Standing at 2.07m, the 25-year-old will step onto Europe's biggest basketball stage for the first time as he joins Dubai Basketball in their historic effort to compete among the world's elite. The Bosnian center arrives from Budućnost VOLI, where he made a strong impact on the paint. He began the 2023-24 season with SC Derby before joining Budućnost, averaging 13.2 points and 8.3 rebounds across both stints. In the 2024-25 campaign, Kamenjaš continued to impress, posting 11.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, with a Performance Index Rating of 17.8. He also stood out in the EuroCup, where he contributed 10.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Kamenjaš was also a pivotal part of the team that delivered one of Dubai Basketball's only away-game losses in the ABA League regular season. Having contributed to 39 games for the Montenegrin team last season, Kamenjaš is looking to bring a new wave of offensive basketball to Dubai. Prior to his time in Podgorica, Kamenjaš rose through the ranks at Spars Sarajevo, debuting professionally in 2017 and steadily establishing himself as one of Bosnia and Herzegovina's brightest talents. A consistent figure in his national team, Kamenjaš has featured in FIBA Basketball World Cup and EuroBasket qualifiers, adding valuable international experience to his growing resumé. Dubai Basketball enter the EuroLeague this season with the ambition of challenging the best teams in Europe, after finishing third in their inaugural ABA League campaign.