Marcelinho Huertas leaves La Laguna Tenerife to join Dubai Basketball

At 43 years old, Brazilian point guard Marcelinho Huertas is departing La Laguna Tenerife to sign immediately with Dubai Basketball, according to reports. The unexpected move brings an end to Huertas's illustrious eight-year tenure with the Canary Islands club, where he remained a dominant force in Spain's top-tier Liga Endesa and cemented his status as one of the competition's all-time greats.

The transfer will send the veteran playmaker to the United Arab Emirates, where he will join a heavily ambitious Dubai Basketball squad currently competing in the EuroLeague. Under the leadership of head coach Xavi Pascual, the Emirati club has aggressively bolstered its roster this season by adding high-profile players such as Elie Okobo, Thomas Walkup, Tornike Shengelia, and Mamadi Diakité. Dubai currently sits sixth in the EuroLeague standings with seven victories through ten games.

For Huertas, the move marks a reunion with Pascual, with whom he previously worked during a four-year period at FC Barcelona from 2011 to 2015. It also signals his return to the EuroLeague, a competition he last played seven years ago prior to joining Tenerife. Additionally, his arrival in Dubai is expected to make him the oldest player in EuroLeague history, surpassing the previous longevity record held by Albert Oliver.

Huertas departs the Liga Endesa leaving behind a staggering collection of historical records. He stands as the league's all-time leader in assists with 3,440 and ranks high in multiple other statistical categories, including minutes played, total evaluation credits, and total appearances. Just recently, he surpassed Joe Arlauckas to become the eighth-highest scorer in Liga Endesa history with 7,560 points, and he ranks as the third-player with the most games played in the competition.

Even in the twilight of his career, Huertas has continued to produce exceptional numbers on the court. In the ongoing domestic campaign, he has averaged over 14 points and nearly four assists per game for La Laguna Tenerife, leading his team in performance efficiency. His strong form followed a remarkable 2025 season in which he earned MVP honors in both the Basketball Champions League and the Spanish domestic league.

The departure of Huertas deals a significant blow to La Laguna Tenerife, which has enjoyed a strong start to the season with five wins in seven matches under newly appointed coach Jaka Lakovic. The club now faces the daunting task of filling a massive leadership and tactical void left by one of its most emblematic and enduring figures as he embarks on a new chapter in the desert.