Dubai Basketball sign Lebanese star Wael Arakji

Dubai Basketball on Tuesday completed the landmark signing of Lebanese star Wael Arakji, one of the Middle East’s standout players.

The 30-year-old joins for the 2024/25 season bringing with him a wealth of talent and experience as Dubai Basketball maintains their ABA League playoff push.

Nicknamed The Fearsome, Arakji has won championships across the world, including in Lebanon, Qatar, and Tunisia - while also having successful stints in China, and in the NBA Summer League with the Dallas Mavericks.

He also has two FIBA Asia Champions Cup winner’s medals - the highest accolade for club basketball in Asia.

A hero in his native Lebanon, Arakji helped his country to the 2022 Arab Basketball Championship, and to finish runner-up in the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup. In both tournaments he was MVP, averaging 26 points per game in the Asia Cup.

Arakji will immediately go into the Dubai Basketball squad for their next game against Mornar on Sunday, December 15, at Coca-Cola Arena.

Dubai Basketball head coach Jurica Golemac said, “Wael brings valuable experience and offensive skills to our team. While he’ll need some time to adapt to the league and our system, his talent is undeniable. We’re confident he’ll demonstrate to the world that regional basketball is on the rise and serve as an outstanding representative of GCC basketball.”

Wael Arakji said, “I am incredibly excited to join Dubai Basketball. This is (a) fantastic organisation and it is an honour to be part of this inaugural season. Something very special is being built here and that will only go from strength to strength in the future. As professionals we live to play at the highest levels - and that's what you get here at Dubai Basketball. There is a great group of players and coaches here and I can't wait to join them.”