Dubai Basketball has appointed NBA champion Tristan Thompson as its new Global Ambassador, adding another internationally recognised name to the club as it continues expanding its presence on the global basketball stage.
Thompson will support Dubai Basketball’s international growth, strategic positioning and fan engagement. The former Cleveland Cavaliers player is also expected to work with the club on strategic partnerships and help strengthen its connections across global markets.
The appointment comes as Dubai Basketball continues building its profile following a rapid rise since the club launched in 2023.
Tristan Thompson Joins Dubai Basketball's Global Growth
In his new role, Thompson will work closely with Dubai Basketball’s leadership as the club looks to expand its reach beyond the UAE and strengthen its position across the Middle East, Europe and other international markets.
The NBA veteran brings more than a decade of experience from professional basketball. He played a key role in the Cleveland Cavaliers team that won the 2016 NBA Championship and appeared in 22 NBA Finals games during his career.
Thompson has also played more than 800 NBA games, giving Dubai Basketball a Global Ambassador with extensive experience at the highest level of the sport.
Speaking about his new role, Thompson said Dubai represents a place where sport, business, culture and opportunity are growing at the same time.
He said Dubai Basketball is building something that extends beyond the idea of being simply another team.
According to Thompson, the club has an opportunity to help establish Dubai as a major basketball hub connecting players, fans and opportunities across the Middle East, Europe and beyond.
He added that he was excited to support the club’s journey and contribute to an environment capable of attracting players who want to compete at the highest level.
Dubai Basketball's Rapid Rise
Dubai Basketball has grown quickly since launching in 2023, developing from a newly established franchise into one of the region's most ambitious basketball projects.
The club made history during the 2025-26 season by becoming the first Gulf-based team to compete in the EuroLeague, marking a major milestone for basketball in Dubai and the wider region.
Dubai Basketball also secured the ABA League title in only its second season, adding another significant achievement to the club's early history.
The team has attracted more than 100,000 fans, reflecting the growing interest in basketball within Dubai and supporting the club’s ambition to develop a stronger basketball culture across the UAE.
Its rapid development has placed Dubai Basketball among the most closely watched sporting projects to emerge from the region in recent years.
Building Dubai Into a Global Basketball Hub
Thompson's appointment forms part of Dubai Basketball's broader strategy to increase its international visibility and build stronger connections with the global basketball community.
The club is focusing on several areas, including strategic partnerships, media visibility, fan growth and the development of basketball culture.
Having an NBA champion involved in the organisation could also help introduce Dubai Basketball to wider international audiences and create new opportunities for collaboration across the sport.
Dubai has increasingly positioned itself as a destination for major international sporting events and professional athletes. Basketball has become another important part of that expanding sports landscape, with Dubai Basketball aiming to create a long-term presence capable of competing at the highest levels.
The club’s participation in the EuroLeague gives it an important platform to face some of Europe's leading teams while bringing elite basketball to audiences in Dubai.
At the same time, its success in the ABA League has demonstrated the club's ability to make an impact competitively despite its relatively short history.
Focus Turns to International Expansion
As Global Ambassador, Thompson will now become part of Dubai Basketball's efforts to grow its profile internationally.
His role will include supporting the club’s strategic development and helping connect the organisation with fans, partners and basketball communities beyond the UAE.
The appointment also reflects Dubai Basketball's wider ambition to combine sporting success with international growth and cultural influence.
With an NBA champion now representing the club as Global Ambassador, Dubai Basketball is adding further experience and global recognition to its growing project.
As the team continues competing on major international stages and building its fan base, Thompson’s involvement will support its next phase of development.
Dubai Basketball's goal is clear: to continue growing the sport locally while establishing Dubai as a destination where elite players, international fans and major basketball opportunities can come together.
Dubai Basketball’s expansion has come at a time when the UAE’s sports sector is attracting increasing international attention. The club’s growing presence in European competition, combined with its efforts to build a strong local fan base, gives it an opportunity to connect regional basketball audiences with the wider global game. Thompson’s experience and international profile are expected to support that ambition as Dubai Basketball continues developing its identity both on and off the court.
