Today's Edition
Dubai (Aletihad)
A milestone moment for basketball, not just in the UAE but in the wider region, got a formal introduction after the first team of Dubai Basketball, a newly established professional franchise, got unveiled in the Emirate on Tuesday. Dubai Basketball makes its debut in Europe this weekend and create history when the new season of the Adriatic Basketball Association (ABA) league kicks off.
Over the past couple of months, a strong roster of players from Serbia, United States, Philippines, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Jordan, Türkiye and Latvia has been lined up under head coach Jurica Golemac. The unit has undertaken training camps and took part in a friendly tournament last weekend in Bosnia.
Captaining the side is Klemen Prepelic, who has won numerous titles and awards, including the Slovenian Basketball Cup, the ABA League Second Division, and the Slovenian League title. The last player to sign up was former NBA star David Bertans as word has spread about the serious intent of the new franchise, founded in 2023 by UAE entrepreneur Abdulla Saeed Al Naboodah.
"The fact that we are playing in the ABA League tells you everything you need to know about how ambitious we are as a club," said Dejan Kamenjasevic, General Manager and Co-Founder of Dubai Basketball, through a statement to the media after the unveiling.
He added: "We have guys who have played in leagues in Europe, the NBA and the very top of the sport. To attract these players is a big achievement for the city and our club. We look forward to welcoming the local communities including expats and locals as their support can inspire the team. Together, as a team, we have a chance to do something big together."
While many of the team members, a blend of young and old, have vast experience of playing in Europe and the US, the fact remains that the debutants will play their first, historic match in the ABA league against none other than the defending champions Red Star Belgrade from Serbia at 7pm on Sunday. Dubai Basketball has three players each from Serbia and United States, as the major representation.
Addressing the gathering at the unveiling, captain Prepelic said: "It is a privilege to be named captain of Dubai Basketball for its first ever season. It's a big job that brings a lot of responsibility but one I'm looking forward to.
"As professionals, we know there will be no easy games but we have a great team spirit and bond which will be crucial in delivering the wins that we want. We will play to our strengths and do everything we can do bring success to Dubai Basketball. Dubai is a great city with fantastic facilities we hope to do our fans and country proud."
The home turf for Dubai Basketball will be the Coca-Cola Arena. Besides the fantastic infrastructure at their home venue, the compilation and preparation of the squad for their ABA league debut have been put in the experienced hands of Golemac.
The coach is a winner of the ABA League Second Division title in 2019 as well as champion of the Slovenian League in 2019, 2021, and 2022. "This is a new chapter for the club and having spoken to the management, they outlined ambitious plans for the future which I want to play a part in," Golemac said.
"We are under no illusions of the challenge that we will face in the ABA League but we will do all we can to showcase our best abilities regularly throughout the season and raise the UAE flag high."
Besides training in Dubai even as some members came through in the past couple of weeks, including Bertans, the team played four friendlies in Slovenia and the tournament in Bosnia to get some competitive games before Sunday's opener.
Game tickets start from Dh75 while season passes, which ensure reserved seating for 15 regular home matches on the calendar, will cost from Dh1,750. The season passes also include meet and greet opportunities with players, priority and venue fast track entry and exclusive pre-sale opportunities for live concerts at Coca-Cola Arena.
