DUBAI (United Arab Emirates) - Team Dubai is still learning the ropes of 3x3 basketball, but its early results suggest a team with plenty of potential, and the players are eager to show it when the FIBA 3x3 World Tour arrives in Dubai.
Formed with players from four different countries who initially barely knew one another, Team Dubai had little time to build chemistry before making its debut at the Mataró Challenger. According to Jean-Marc Mwema, the team had managed only about five practices together before stepping onto the court.
The adjustment was a challenge, with the players transitioning from 5-on-5 basketball while learning a new discipline and developing a shared identity. Yet Team Dubai made it to the Quarter-Finals in Mataró, even playing with just three players in its final games.
"For us, it's play fast, hit shots, and then get stopped, get another shot," said Lachlan Anderson, describing the team's approach. "That's more the identity we tried to build."
The group came together through the efforts of Dusan Bulut, the Serbian 3x3 basketball legend who helped assemble the roster. The players then had to turn a collection of unfamiliar faces into a cohesive unit, relying on hard work and a willingness to learn.
For Mwema, the experience has brought a welcome sense of starting over.
"I really felt like a rookie again. That was the fun part, a 36-year-old rookie," he said.
Despite their limited preparation, the players believe their first tournament offered a glimpse of what they can accomplish with more time together. Mwema sees considerable room for improvement, particularly as the team continues to develop its understanding of the game and of one another.
"I feel like once we figure that out, we can be a very dangerous team," he said.
Now, Team Dubai has another motivation: representing the city on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour stage. For Anderson, wearing Dubai on the team's jerseys and giving local fans a new team to support will make the experience particularly special.
Craig Osaikhwuwuomwan echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the responsibility of representing the country that gave the players an opportunity to compete.
"We are able to represent a country that gave us the opportunity to play, so we really want to leave a good impression over there," he said.
With more to learn and chemistry still developing, Team Dubai knows the challenge ahead. But after making the Quarter-Finals with minimal preparation, the players are eager to discover just how far they can go.
As Osaikhwuwuomwan put it: "I think it's going to be a real show."
The FIBA 3x3 World Tour arrives at Festival Bay, Dubai Festival City, on November 6–7. Fans can attend the event free of charge, subject to registration.
For event updates and further information, follow @FIBA3x3 and use the official hashtags #3x3WTDubai and #3x3WT.
Stay Connected
Follow all the latest action from the FIBA 3x3 World Tour throughout the 2026 season by visiting the official World Tour website, where you can find the latest news, team standings, player statistics and everything you need to follow the Race to the Final. Fans can also keep track of the Event Calendar and the latest FIBA 3x3 Individual and Federation Rankings as teams and players continue their push toward the season finale.
Want to learn more about 3x3 basketball? Explore the official FIBA 3x3 Rules to understand the unique fast-paced format of the game, or discover the FIBA 3x3 Competition Structure to see how the discipline’s global pathway connects grassroots events, professional tours and world-class international competitions.
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