Dubai Basketball Launches 2024/25 Season In ABA League

Dubai Basketball, a new professional franchise, was introduced in Dubai on Tuesday. The team is gearing up for their debut season with aspirations of strong performances. Fans can now purchase tickets and season passes to see them play at the Coca-Cola Arena, with their first match scheduled for Sunday, September 22.

Founded by UAE entrepreneur Abdulla Saeed Al Naboodah in 2023, Dubai Basketball will be the first UAE team to compete in Europe's Adriatic Basketball Association (ABA) League. A launch ceremony was held today to mark the beginning of their 2024/25 season.

The team's roster features former NBA star Davis Bertans and players from diverse backgrounds including the Philippines, USA, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Jordan/Turkey, and Latvia. Many have extensive experience playing in Europe and the US.

Dejan Kamenjasevic, General Manager and Co-Founder of Dubai Basketball, shared insights into the club's creation and future ambitions. He expressed pride in establishing a new basketball team in one of the world's best cities. "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," he stated.

Head coach Jurica Golemac is eager for his first season leading Dubai Basketball. Having won titles like the ABA League Second Division in 2019 and Slovenian League championships in 2019, 2021, and 2022, he plans to contribute significantly to the club's future plans. "We are under no illusions of the challenge that we will face in the ABA League," he said.

Klemen Prepelic, captain of Dubai Basketball, has an impressive record with numerous titles including the Slovenian Basketball Cup and ABA League Second Division. He expressed his excitement about leading the team: "It is a privilege to be named captain of Dubai Basketball for its first ever season."

Strengthening Dubai's Sports Scene

Ali Omar Al Blooshi from Dubai Sports Council highlighted how Dubai Basketball enhances Dubai's reputation as a global sports hub. "This is a landmark accomplishment," he remarked. The addition of this team strengthens Dubai’s position as a leading sports destination worldwide.

The team recently completed a successful training camp in Slovenia where they played four friendlies. They also secured victories against KK FMP and BC Nizhny Novgorod during home friendly games last week before participating in a pre-season tournament in Bosnia.

Game tickets start at Dh75 while season passes begin at Dh1,750. Season passes offer reserved seating for all 15 regular-season home matches along with exclusive benefits such as meet-and-greet opportunities with players.