The European basketball market has just witnessed one of its most surprising moves. Marcelinho Huertas is set to join Dubai Basketball and return to the EuroLeague under the guidance of Xavi Pascual, according to a report first published by Spanish journalist Chema de Lucas and subsequently picked up by several media outlets. The move marks an unexpected turn in the Brazilian point guard’s career, as he leaves La Laguna Tenerife after seven seasons having established himself as one of the greatest players in the Canary Islands club’s history.
At 43, Huertas is about to embark on a new challenge in Europe’s premier club competition, where he has not played since his stint with Baskonia (2017–2019). What is truly remarkable, however, is not simply that he is still competing at the highest level at an age when most players have long since hung up their sneakers, but that he continues to make a difference on the court.
His numbers this season speak for themselves. In the Liga Endesa, the Brazilian is averaging 14.3 points, 3.9 assists and a PIR of 17.1 in just 20.5 minutes per game, having appeared in seven games. His shooting efficiency is equally impressive: 61.4% from two-point range, a staggering 72.7% from beyond the arc and 91.7% from the free-throw line. He also ranks among the league’s best in both three-point and free-throw shooting.
Despite the summer departure of Txus Vidorreta, who left for Unicaja Malaga after being Huertas’ coach throughout his Tenerife tenure, the outstanding Brazilian point guard has remained the undisputed leader of the Canary Islands side. Despite the changing of the guard on the sidelines, with Jaka Lakovic taking over as head coach, Tenerife have maintained their place among the Liga Endesa elite, winning five of their first seven games. Just last Sunday, in their victory over Joventut, Huertas clearly outplayed Ricky Rubio, finishing with 19 points and four assists to lead his team to an 80–74 win.
His EuroCup performances have been no less impressive, even if his playing time has been somewhat more limited. Across six appearances for Tenerife, Huertas is averaging eight points and five assists in approximately 19 minutes per game, showing that he can adapt his role to the team’s needs without losing his ability to create advantages. His average of five assists per game is particularly telling, underlining that his playmaking instincts remain as sharp as ever. In the competition, Lakovic’s team currently sits atop Group B, having won five of its six games.
The secret behind Huertas’ extraordinary level, even well into his forties, goes far beyond physical conditioning. He has built his remarkable longevity through a complete transformation of his habits, paying particular attention to nutrition, recovery, injury prevention and individualized training. But his greatest asset remains between his ears: his understanding of the game, his ability to dictate the tempo and his knack for finding solutions where others see nothing but defenders. In that respect, he remains a truly unique player.
In Dubai, the Brazilian will join an ambitious project, bankrolled by oil money and built to challenge Europe’s established powers. The Emirati side boasts a high-calibre roster, including two other proven point guards in McKinley Wright and Thomas Walkup. There is little reason to expect Marcelinho to shoulder a heavy minutes load —something that would also be difficult to manage with a schedule that can involve as many as three games per week—. Instead, his value will lie in the experience, creativity and undeniable quality he brings to the backcourt rotation. His chemistry with big men, mastery of the pick-and-roll and ability to control the pace could prove invaluable assets for Xavi Pascual, particularly in tight games and high-pressure situations.
Indeed, the reunion between the two adds another intriguing dimension to the move. Huertas previously played under the Catalan coach at FC Barcelona between 2011 and 2015, a period during which the Brazilian turned his pick-and-roll partnership with Ante Tomic into an art form. He subsequently carried that same connection to Tenerife, where he developed an equally fruitful understanding with Gio Shermadini.
Huertas, who was named Liga Endesa MVP in 2025 at the age of 42, continues to prove that, in his case, age really is just a number. His talent, basketball IQ and passion for the game remain undiminished, allowing him to maintain an exceptionally high level. Now, he will have another opportunity to put those qualities to the test in the EuroLeague. Unprecedented, perhaps, but by now, nothing Marcelinho Huertas does should come as a surprise.
