Marcelinho Huertas heads to Dubai after Tenerife departure

Dubai is poised to sign Marcelinho Huertas, following the 43-year-old point guard’s exit from La Laguna Tenerife on Wednesday.

He served as the primary ball-handler for the Canary Islands team for nearly eight seasons, earning multiple team championships and individual honors.

This emotional parting marks his return to the EuroLeague competition.

At 43, the Brazilian guard maintains his high level of performance. He stands as the sole foreign player in ACB history to participate in 20 seasons, having also appeared in 76 NBA games for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons. He now seeks to conclude his career in Europe’s premier club tournament, where he previously played in 228 matches.

The move reunites him with a familiar coach. In Dubai, Huertas will join head coach Xavi Pascual, who previously directed the playmaker during their tenure at FC Barcelona. Pascual understands how to maximize his floor general’s abilities, aiding Huertas’ quick integration into the rotation, which is vital given that fellow guard Thomas Walkup is currently injured.

The squad in the United Arab Emirates’ largest city has begun the 2026–27 campaign strongly. They hold a 7–3 record in the EuroLeague Regular Season, occupying second place in a tightly contested six-team tie.

Their performance is equally strong in the AdmiralBet ABA League, where they lead Group B alongside Partizan Mozzart Bet with a 6–0 record.