From the moment it was founded, Dubai has been on a steady upward trajectory. In only its second season, the club from the United Arab Emirates climbed to the top of the Adriatic League, making it clear that its ambitions extended well beyond simply being part of the competition. The same was evident throughout its Euroleague debut.
That first season among Europe’s elite did not end with the desired top-10 finish, and Jurica Golemac ultimately paid the price. He was replaced by his fellow Slovenian Aleksander Sekulić. The coaching change gave Dubai the jolt it needed on the way to the championship, and Sekulić deserves full credit for completing that run. Still, it would only be fair to acknowledge that part of the title also belonged to the work Golemac had done before him.
From Golemac and Sekulić to Pascual
Sekulić will turn that championship run into a move to Barcelona, while Golemac should have no trouble finding another job. Dubai, meanwhile, has handed the team to Xavi Pascual, who until recently was coaching the Catalan powerhouse.
The hiring finally put an end to months of speculation about the decorated coach moving to the Middle East. More importantly, it sent a clear message about Dubai’s next step. The club wants to build a roster capable of holding up over the course of a long season and competing near the top of the Euroleague.
No Longer the Team Doing the Chasing
Dubai will also enter the season in a new position domestically. For the first time, it will be defending the regional championship rather than chasing it. That changes the way the club is viewed, both by its opponents and from within.
There is another obvious source of motivation: the location of the Final Four. For the second time in three years, the Euroleague’s showcase event will be held in Abu Dhabi. For Dubai, it is hard to imagine a more appealing goal than playing for the European championship in its own country.
“Coming to Dubai is a challenge that truly motivates me. This is a club with enormous ambition and a clear vision for the future. I’m excited to start working with the players, help the team continue to grow and build a winning culture. We know the expectations are high, and we will do everything we can to compete for trophies”, Pascual said after signing.
The Final Four Is No Longer a Distant Dream
The Spanish coach did not bring up ambition and trophies by accident. By winning the ABA League, Dubai crossed the line that usually separates an intriguing project from a club with serious championship goals. That possibility had been discussed more than once. It is also the reason Pascual is there.
His return to Barcelona did not end the way he had envisioned. He went back intending to move the club closer to the Euroleague’s top tier, but he never had the financial conditions required to construct the roster he wanted. During the season, he had neither enough flexibility nor the right personnel to carry out a deeper rebuild, so the eventual split surprised no one.
He should not face the same problem in Dubai. The club’s financial strength has never been in question, although money alone was not enough to produce the next step. Nor has Dubai spent recklessly. Last season’s roster had quality, depth and individual talent, but there were stretches when the team depended more on its best players creating something than on a clearly established tactical identity.
A coach with Pascual’s background should bring the balance Dubai was missing. He is not arriving to tear the roster down. He is taking over an established group that needs to be refined and strengthened.
Keeping the Championship Core Together
Dubai has already made several important moves by extending Mfiondu Kabengele, McKinley Wright and Dwayne Bacon, three central figures in the run to the ABA League championship. Justin Anderson is also close to staying. His contributions may not have stood out as much as Bacon’s scoring or Wright’s playmaking, but players with Anderson’s defensive versatility are essential for any team trying to maintain a reliable defensive level.
With the core still in place, the club has already lined up several significant additions. Jaron Blossomgame has signed, while Elie Okobo is expected to follow. Both bring extensive experience from Monaco. Mamadi Diakite, meanwhile, should add mobility, length and athleticism to the frontcourt rotation.
The Player Dubai Lost to the NBA
Alpha Diallo was also expected to arrive from Monaco. The reigning Euroleague Best Defender had agreed to join Dubai before receiving an opportunity with the Denver Nuggets. He left more money on the table for a chance to compete against the best players in the world. Dubai lost a player it had specifically targeted, but received $900,000 in compensation.
Diallo’s move to the NBA disrupts the plan to some extent, particularly because his defensive profile is difficult to replace. At the same time, the way the situation played out says something about Dubai’s changing position in the market. The club is now operating in a different class of negotiations and pursuing players who have legitimate NBA options.
The Backcourt Still Needs Work
The roster is not finished. According to reports, Dubai will try to add a power forward and two point guards before training camp begins. One of those guards is expected to be Thomas Walkup, a European champion who has won 12 trophies with Olympiacos and is best known for his defense, toughness and ability to organize an offense. That is exactly the kind of guard Pascual needs, and that’s someone who can control possessions, raise the team’s defensive floor and dictate the tempo of a game. Mike James was another idea. At one point, there was even speculation that an agreement had already been reached, but he ultimately chose to continue his career with Anadolu Efes.
Building a Team for Two Different Demands
Of course, nothing is guaranteed for Dubai. Pascual’s hiring is only one piece of a much larger puzzle. The holdovers and the newcomers will need time to develop chemistry and create the foundation for a legitimate Final Four push.
There is also the inaugural Euroleague Super Cup, which will be played in Abu Dhabi. Above all, Pascual will have to find a way to keep the team competitive while defending its regional title without leaving it worn down for the Euroleague games that will determine its postseason position.
That challenge is precisely why Dubai chose Pascual. His career has been defined by major expectations, deep Euroleague runs and trophies. It is also why the club worked to beat out the competition and secure one of the most highly regarded coaches in European basketball.
Dubai Has Made Its Intentions Clear
Whether Dubai reaches its goals will depend largely on factors that cannot be predicted in the summer or measured only by the names added to the roster. But through its choice of coach, its decision to retain the core and the way it is constructing the team, Dubai has made its intentions clear.
Dubai no longer wants to be just another Euroleague participant. It expects to become something more.