Marcelinho Huertas returns to the EuroLeague with Dubai at 43
Marcelinho Huertas leaves La Laguna Tenerife after more than seven seasons to sign with Dubai Basketball and compete in the Euroleague. The Brazilian point guard, at 43 years old, will reunite with Xavi Pascual, with whom he played at Barcelona between 2011 and 2015.
An unexpected move has shaken European basketball. Marcelinho Huertas has confirmed his departure from the Canary Islands team in a press conference alongside president Aniano Cabrera, thus concluding a phase of more than seven seasons with the island entity. The Brazilian point guard, now 43 years old, embarks on a new adventure with Dubai Basketball to return to the continent's most prestigious competition.
The South American player's decision comes midway through the Liga Endesa season, making it one of the most complicated of his extensive professional career. However, the opportunity to compete in the EuroLeague and reunite with Xavi Pascual on the Emirati team has proven decisive for Huertas to end his association with Tenerife. The move was first reported by journalist Chema de Lucas before the official confirmation.
A Golden Era in Tenerife
During his time in La Laguna, Tenerife, Marcelinho Huertas has established himself as one of the key figures of the project. In the current Liga Endesa campaign, the Brazilian point guard was leading the team's scoring with 14.3 points per game, while also being the most valued player of the roster directed by Jaka Lakovic, accumulating a rating of 17.1 in an average of 20 minutes on the court.
Beyond the statistics, Huertas has left a deep mark on the Canary club. His farewell words reflect the emotional significance this phase has had in his personal and professional journey. "There are moments for which we are never fully prepared. Even though you know that one day they will come, sometimes words fall short," expressed the veteran guard in his official statements.
"After more than seven seasons, I close a chapter that has been one of the most beautiful and important of my life both personally and professionally. This has not been an easy decision; it has been one of the hardest of my career and my life," Huertas continued, acknowledging the complexity of leaving the project mid-season. "During these years, opportunities arose that were difficult to refuse, but I always found reasons to stay here because I was always very happy, I felt valued, loved, and respected."
Reunion with Xavi Pascual in Dubai
Marcelinho Huertas' arrival at Dubai Basketball means a reunion with Xavi Pascual, the team’s coach. They shared the locker room for four seasons at Regal FC Barcelona between 2011 and 2015, when the blue-and-red team was an undeniable powerhouse in the EuroLeague. That period was pivotal in Huertas' career, who later made the leap to the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he spent two seasons.
Pascual's experience as a coach and his knowledge of Huertas' game could be crucial for the Brazilian point guard to quickly adapt to the Emirati project. They share a common history in elite European basketball, which facilitates an already established sports connection.
A Journey of Almost Two Decades in Professional Basketball
Marcelinho Huertas' career reflects the demands of elite professional basketball. His journey began in Brazil, where he played for Paulistano São Paulo and Pinheiros between 2001 and 2003. Later, the Brazilian point guard took a qualitative leap to Europe, where he has developed most of his professional career.
His stints with DKV Joventut, Iurbentia Bilbao Basket, Fortitudo Bologna, and Caja Laboral Baskonia allowed him to establish himself as a reference player in continental basketball. His signing by Regal FC Barcelona in 2011 marked a turning point in his journey, enabling him to compete in the EuroLeague at the highest level and earn a reputation as a seasoned and experienced point guard.
Final Reflections on Tenerife
In his farewell statements, Huertas was particularly emotional when referring to the impact Tenerife has had on his life. "I knew there were things left for us to achieve. Tenerife stopped being a place where I played basketball to become my home," the guard stated, highlighting the importance the island has acquired in his personal life beyond the strictly sporting aspect.
This reflection highlights how professional sports, despite their competitive nature, generate deep human bonds. Huertas' decision to leave the project mid-season, being one of the team's pillars, shows that the opportunity to return to the EuroLeague has prevailed over institutional loyalty, something understandable given the magnitude of the continental competition.
Dubai Basketball welcomes a player with accumulated experience in top-level leagues, including the NBA. Although at 43 years old Huertas is entering the final stretch of his career, his knowledge of the game and leadership skills could be decisive for the Emirati team in their participation in the EuroLeague. The story of this veteran Brazilian guard continues to be written in a new geography.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Marcelinho Huertas regresa a Euroliga con Dubai a los 43