Marcelinho Huertas, the 43-year-old veteran floor general and cornerstone of Spanish basketball, confirmed on Wednesday that he is departing La Laguna Tenerife to sign with Dubai, a team in the Euroleague.
The move marks the end of a seven-season tenure with the Canary Islands club, a period that established him as one of the most decorated and statistically significant figures in the history of the Liga ACB.
The decision to leave the ACB mid-season arrives as a surprise, given the Brazilian point guard’s age and his deep integration into the Tenerife organization. Huertas, who became the league’s all-time leader in assists with 3,440, described the choice as the final major challenge of his professional career.
“I have always moved based on challenges, and I think this is an incredible one,” Huertas said during a tearful press conference. “I believe it is, sincerely, the last one that could present itself in my career. That is why I have made the decision to go for it.”
𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐒 por tu legado, Marce 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/fh7mEWQgSw
Huertas joined La Laguna Tenerife following a career that included stints with Joventut, Bilbao, Baskonia, and Barcelona. Under the direction of Txus Vidorreta, the veteran guard helped transform the team into a contender in both domestic and European competition.
During his seven seasons with the club, the team secured a Basketball Champions League title and two Intercontinental Cup trophies. The club also reached a Copa del Rey final and earned two third-place finishes in the ACB.
Beyond the team success, Huertas maintained high individual production. He leaves the league holding the third-most appearances all-time with 739 games and the fourth-most victories with 493. His 7,560 career points rank him eighth in the history of the Spanish competition, while his passing remains his defining attribute.
While moving to the Middle East departs from the Spanish league, Huertas emphasized that his competitive drive remains unchanged. Addressing questions about his ability to compete in the Euroleague at 43, the guard pointed to his sustained physical condition and motivation.
“The age can be a conditioning factor for some things, but for others perhaps not,” Huertas told the press. “My hunger for basketball, for competing, remains intact and I hope that I can continue during what is left.”
Aniano Cabrera, president of the club, said that when the offer was presented, the priority was whether the challenge still excited the player. Huertas confirmed that while the departure was difficult, the opportunity to compete at the highest European level served as the primary motivation for ending his time in Tenerife.
Huertas’ career in Spain, spanning 19 years with breaks for time in Italy and the NBA, concludes with him as a definitive playmaker in the ACB.
His performance on May 3, 2023, where he recorded 43 points against Murcia, remains one of the high-water marks of his scoring prowess. His record of 17 assists in a single game against Zaragoza on January 11, 2020, shows his vision on the court.
Huertas is expected to join his new team in the coming days, marking the transition to the final stage of a career that has seen him play at the highest levels of the sport across three continents.
Earlier coverage: Marcelinho Huertas Leaves Tenerife to Join Dubai BC in EuroLeague
