Dubai Basketball Club, the reigning ABA League champion, has officially ignited its preparations for the upcoming season with a series of bold, high‑caliber moves that signal one clear message: the club is entering the new campaign with unprecedented ambition and a determination to establish itself as a rising force in European basketball. After a historic season that captured the attention of the continent, Dubai now returns with a reinforced core, elite coaching leadership, and headline‑making signings designed to elevate the team to the next tier of competition.
The club began its summer strategy by securing the pillars of its championship roster. Dwayne Bacon has signed an extension through 2028, ensuring the return of one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in Europe. Alongside him, Mfiondu Kabengele—the standout performer and ABA Finals MVP—has committed to the club through 2028, solidifying Dubai’s interior dominance. The backcourt leadership remains intact as well, with McKinley Wright IV extending his contract until 2029, preserving the team’s on‑court architect and one of the league’s most efficient playmakers.
In a strategic development move, Aleksa Avramović has joined Bahçeşehir Koleji on loan, giving the Serbian guard an opportunity to expand his role before returning to Dubai’s long‑term project.
The club’s most powerful statement, however, comes from the sidelines. Dubai has appointed Xavi Pascual as head coach through 2029, marking one of the most significant coaching acquisitions in European basketball this year. Pascual, a former EuroLeague champion and one of the most respected tactical minds in the sport, arrives with a world‑class staff including Íñigo Zorzano, Òscar Orellana, Adamantios Panagiotopoulos, and Alejandro García. Together, they form a coaching unit with deep EuroLeague pedigree and a proven ability to build championship‑level systems.
Dubai’s recruitment campaign has been equally assertive. The club has secured Jaron Blossomgame from AS Monaco on a multi‑year deal, adding versatility, physicality, and proven scoring ability to the frontcourt. In one of the summer’s most talked‑about moves, Dubai has also landed Élie Okobo, the French League and Finals MVP, whose arrival injects elite playmaking and star power into the backcourt. Completing the trio of new arrivals, Davion Mintz joins from Würzburg Baskets, bringing shooting range, athleticism, and valuable depth to the wing positions.
With these decisive moves, Dubai Basketball Club enters the new season with a clear and unapologetic vision: to defend its ABA League title, compete fiercely in the EuroLeague, and continue its ascent as one of the most ambitious and rapidly growing basketball projects in the world. The message is unmistakable—Dubai is not simply building a team; it is building a legacy
