Tristan Thompson Backs Dubai Basketball’s Ambitions on the Global Stage

NBA champion Tristan Thompson believes Dubai Basketball has the potential to establish itself among Europe’s leading clubs as he takes on a new front-office role focused on strengthening the team’s international presence.

The former Cleveland Cavaliers centre has joined Dubai Basketball as its global ambassador, bringing more than a decade of NBA experience to the three-year-old club and its expanding ambitions.

Dubai Basketball opens its latest EuroLeague campaign against Real Madrid at Coca-Cola Arena tonight, with tip-off scheduled for 8 PM. The fixture is a repeat of last week’s EuroLeague SuperCup semi-final, where Real Madrid secured a 98-95 overtime victory.

Although Thompson will not take to the court in a Dubai jersey, he has not officially brought his playing career to an end.

“I’m not officially retired. I’m still a free agent and I still have the itch,” he told Arabian Business. “Who knows? I might get out there for a couple of practice days with the guys and see how it goes.

“But I’m at peace. It’s about what chapter two could look like and how I can make myself a valuable asset to Dubai Basketball.”

Grassroots Development

Thompson’s responsibilities will extend beyond representing the club publicly. He said his role will include supporting grassroots basketball, player recruitment, commercial partnerships and initiatives designed to improve the experience for players and their families.

He sees Dubai’s diverse population as an opportunity to build a basketball ecosystem similar to the one created by the Toronto Raptors in Canada, which helped inspire a new generation of players, including Thompson.

“There wouldn’t be a Tristan Thompson or other NBA players from Toronto if it wasn’t for the Toronto Raptors,” he said. “It wouldn’t surprise me if there is a local kid from Dubai who plays for the team and wears the jersey one day.”

Thompson described the current squad as “the furniture” within a wider house whose foundations still need to be developed through schools, academies and community programmes.

“Seeing is believing,” he said. “When I was young, going to Vince Carter’s basketball camp and being able to shoot free throws with him made me believe I could become an NBA player.”

Big Ambitions

Founded in 2023, Dubai Basketball entered the EuroLeague during the 2025-26 season, becoming the first club from the Gulf to participate in the competition. Thompson said the speed of that progression reflects the ambitions of the club’s ownership.

“There are teams that have been trying to get into the EuroLeague for more than 10 years and haven’t got in,” he said. “If we look at the trajectory, from the ABA League to the EuroLeague in three years, the sky is the limit.”

Thompson also said there was “no reason” why Dubai Basketball could not compete in this season’s Final Four in Abu Dhabi.

Player recruitment will be another key element of his role. Thompson wants Dubai Basketball to position itself as an attractive option for players who have struggled to secure regular playing time or the contracts they are seeking in the NBA.

“If you’re not playing for an NBA team, Dubai Basketball is the next best thing,” he said.

He added that a potential pre-season tour of the US, featuring games against NBA teams, could eventually raise the club’s profile among American audiences while helping attract prospective players.

Angel Investor

Thompson’s move into basketball management comes alongside an expanding business portfolio. He said he is an active angel investor with interests spanning artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, data centres and robotics, while also exploring investment opportunities in the UAE.

“That’s another reason why this collaboration with Dubai Basketball is so powerful,” he said. “This is a hub in the Gulf region for young entrepreneurs building great technology and start-ups. As a venture capitalist, I want that exposure and to be part of someone else’s journey.”

For Thompson, the experience of playing alongside LeBron James during Cleveland’s 2016 NBA championship campaign continues to shape his approach to both sport and business.

“It’s about being a professional every day. Punching the clock, putting your best foot forward and taking no shortcuts,” he said. “What you put into the game is what you get out.”