Justin Anderson poised to join Dubai Basketball from Barcelona ahead of 2025-2026 season

Justin Anderson is set to join Dubai Basketball from Barcelona ahead of the 2025-26 EuroLeague season. (Rodolfo Molina/Getty)
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Updated 18 July 2025
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Justin Anderson poised to join Dubai Basketball from Barcelona ahead of 2025-2026 season

  • The 31-year-old will become the team’s seventh signing as they prepare for debut campaign in the EuroLeague

DUBAI: Dubai Basketball has confirmed the signing of American small forward Justin Anderson, the team’s seventh major signing who joins top players from across the world under head coach Jurica Golemac ahead of their Dubai Basketball debut.

The deal will be officially confirmed once Anderson undergoes a medical check ahead of the season start.

The 31-year-old forward, who is 1.98 metres tall, joins from FC Barcelona, where he made his mark with his dynamic leadership and strong defensive capacity. Dubai Basketball and Anderson have agreed on terms until 202X, elevating the club’s elite roster with high-level European and NBA experience.

Anderson featured in 37 EuroLeague games during the 2024-2025 season with FC Barcelona, averaging 7.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in just over 18 minutes per game. Known for his physicality, athleticism, and defensive play, Anderson played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s EuroLeague playoff run as one of the best players on court despite facing a loss in Game 5 of the thrilling quarter-final series against AS Monaco.

Before his stint in European basketball, Anderson kicked off his professional playing journey in 2015. Selected 21st in the NBA Draft, he spent eight seasons in the American league — playing with world-renowned teams including the Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers.

Anderson’s arrival is a sign of Dubai Basketball’s intent to compete at the highest level of European basketball with the best talent. With his wealth of NBA and EuroLeague experience, Anderson brings depth and leadership to a growing roster. As the team prepares for its EuroLeague debut, Anderson is expected to play a central role in shaping Dubai’s identity on an international stage.


Dubai Basketball in good form ahead of Bayern Munich clash

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Dubai Basketball in good form ahead of Bayern Munich clash

  • Dubai tackle German club on the back of wins in ABA League and tight EuroLeague clash

DUBAI: Dubai Basketball closed a demanding week on two fronts with a statement win in the ABA League and a narrow, hard-fought EuroLeague battle in Bologna, underscoring the team’s rising profile across Europe’s top competitions.

Last night, Dubai Basketball extended their flawless start to the ABA League Group A campaign, securing an 8-0 record with an impressive 74-88 road victory over Igokea in Laktasi.

The team controlled the game from the early stages to build a double-digit lead by the end of the first quarter. From there, the visitors managed the contest with confidence and precision on both ends of the floor.

Mfiondu Kabengele delivered a standout performance, producing 20 points, 10 rebounds and a 29 valuation. McKinley Wright guided the offence masterfully, contributing 10 first-half points and shaping Dubai’s rhythm throughout the night.

The win preserved Dubai’s perfect ABA League record as they continue to set the pace in Group A.

Reflecting on the team’s performance, Dubai Basketball’s Head Coach Jurica Golemac said: “This was a very important victory for us after a tough loss three days ago. The team showed a professional approach from the start and controlled the game for 40 minutes.

“Twenty-seven assists tell the story; we played team basketball, shared the ball, stayed physical on defense and deserved the win. We take the positives and move forward.”

A dramatic EuroLeague Round 14 encounter against Virtus Bologna on Friday saw Dubai fall just short, 79-78, after a tense fourth-quarter finish.

Despite overturning a 13-point deficit to lead at half-time and winning the rebounding battle 39-30, a pair of late three-pointers from Virtus Bologna’s Luca Vildoza proved decisive.

With the club sitting at 6–8 in the EuroLeague and firmly in the hunt, all eyes now turn to the home game against Bayern Munich in Round 15 at Coca-Cola Arena on Dec. 12.