Dubai Basketball
Dubai Basketball is a professional basketball club based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The team competes in the ABA League and the EuroLeague. The club plays its home games at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.
Founded in 2023, the team entered the EuroLeague in 2025. Despite located in UAE the club doesn't compete in the UAE National Basketball League and no Emirati player has featured for the team so far.
The team's colours are brown, black and white.
History
Dubai Basketball was founded by Abdulla Saeed Juma Al Naboodah and Dejan Kamenjašević in 2023 as the first home franchise team based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.In January 2024, the ABA League confirmed Dubai Basketball's inclusion for a three-season term starting in the 2024–25 season.
On 19 March 2024, the ABA League officially announced BC Dubai would join the league for the next three seasons, starting from 2024. The club’s entry into the ABA League was part of an initiative to develop basketball in the region. Jurica Golemac was signed as the team's first head coach, while Nate Mason was the first officially signed player for the team. Dāvis Bertāns also became the first former NBA player to defect from that league to play for Dubai instead. Later in the summer, Dubai BC announced that the 17,000 seater Coca-Cola Arena would serve as the team's home arena.
In their first ABA game, on September 22, 2024, Dubai defeated Red Star Belgrade at home. They also defeated Partizan, Zadar and Cedevita Olimpija, amongst others, in the 2024–25 season, securing a place in the playoffs. They were eliminated by Partizan Belgrade in the semifinals.
The team competes in the European top-tier basketball league, EuroLeague for the 2025–26 season, as the team got a five–year license to participate until 2029–30 season. They became the first non-Israeli team that was not based in Europe to play in the league. For its debut season, Dubai worked with a player budget of €16 million.
Timeline
- 2022: Initial discussions begin about forming a professional basketball team in Dubai.
- 2023: Dubai Basketball is officially founded by Abdulla Saeed Al Naboodah.
- May 2024: ABA League confirms Dubai Basketball's participation.
- July 2024: Partnership established with Shabab Al Ahli Club.
- July 2024: First player was signed; Davis Bertans joined soon after.
- August 2024: Coca-Cola Arena confirmed as home venue. Klemen Prepelič becomes the club's first captain.
- September 22, 2024: Dubai Basketball won debut ABA League match against KK Crvena Zvezda.
- May 2025: First playoff win vs KK Cedevita Olimpija; reached semifinals vs Partizan Belgrade.
- June 2025: The Euroleague confirms Dubai Basketball’s participation on a 5-year contract.
Home venue
Coaching staff
is the club's coach. He previously led Koper Primorska to multiple domestic trophies and later served as head coach of Cedevita Olimpija from 2020 to 2023, winning national league and cup titles.In 2024, Golemac became the first head coach of Dubai Basketball. In the club’s debut ABA League season, he guided the team to an impressive regular-season record and a playoff semifinal appearance.