Marcelinho Huertas to Join Dubái Basketball, Says Chema de Lucas

Marcelinho Huertas is leaving La Laguna Tenerife to join the Dubai Basketball club and play in the Euroliga, as advanced by journalist Chema de Lucas.

Departure From Tenerife

The 43-year-old Brazilian guard is exiting the ACB club despite having renewed his contract last summer to complete his eighth season with the aurinegro team.

Huertas recorded 19 points and 20 valuation credits on Sunday in an 80-74 victory against Asisa Joventut, leaving the team managed by Jaka Lakovic in fourth place in the Liga Endesa with five wins in seven matches. His departure forces the club to reorganize its playmaking during a period that includes a nine-day road trip for European and national competitions.

Legacy in the ACB

Huertas departs the ACB as the historical leader in assists with 3,440 basket passes, fourth with more victories having achieved 493 to 27 of the 520 held by Juan Carlos Navarro, fifth in valuation with 8,550 credits, sitting at 910 of the 9,460 belonging to Granger Hall, and eighth in minutes disputed with 16,420, at 97 of the 16,517 recorded by Felipe Reyes.

On Sunday, he became the eighth all-time leading scorer in the Liga Endesa with 7,560 points after passing Joe Arlauckas, and he stands as the third player with the most matches played, passing Nacho Rodríguez last week where only Rafa Jofresa and Felipe Reyes surpass him.

Su carrera en España incluyó stints con Joventut — donde debutó en Badalona el 2 de octubre de 2004 —, Bilbao, Baskonia, and Barça, alongside two seasons in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Kobe Bryant. He was chosen as the Liga Endesa MVP in 2025.

Reunion in Euroliga

In Dubai, Huertas will reunite with head coach Xavi Pascual, with whom he previously spent four seasons at Barça between 2011 and 2015. During that previous period, they won two Liga Endesa titles in 2012 and 2014, a Copa del Rey in 2013, and a Supercopa de España in 2011.

The Dubai squad, representing the United Arab Emirates, competes in the Euroliga under a Spanish coaching staff and features an ambitious roster that has added Elie Okobo, Thomas Walkup, Tornike Shengelia, and Mamadi Diakité, starting the continental campaign with seven wins and three defeats in its first 10 encounters, marching sixth in the standings.

Unanswered Questions

It remains unconfirmed whether the involved entities have finalized the operation, what the exact conditions of his incorporation into the Dubai Basketball squad will be, and when the official announcement of his departure from La Laguna Tenerife will be issued.