Marcelinho Huertas has announced that he is ending his time at La Laguna Tenerife to move to Dubai after more than seven seasons with the club. The Brazilian point guard, visibly emotional during his farewell, acknowledged that this was a difficult decision, particularly as it comes midway through the season. He expressed that he leaves with unforgettable memories of his time with the aurinegro entity.
“One of the most beautiful professional and personal experiences I have lived,”
Huertas stated, referring to his years in Tenerife, before admitting that “a part of me stays” with the club and the island.
After 19 years in Spain (2003-2026, with a brief stint in Italy and two seasons in the NBA), Huertas departs Tenerife at the age of 43, boasting an impressive record that will take time to match on the island. His achievements include a Champions League title, two Intercontinental Cups, a runner-up finish in the Copa del Rey, and two third-place finishes in the Liga Endesa, alongside numerous individual records.
“There are moments for which we are never fully prepared. Even when you know they will come, when they arrive, words fall short. Today, I have to live one of them. After seven seasons, I close one of the most beautiful chapters of my life,”
he said during a press conference.
Huertas also expressed gratitude to Tenerife for the affection he received during his tenure, during which he became one of the prominent figures of La Laguna Tenerife and a key reference in Canary basketball.
He is set to play in the next Liga Endesa match against Andorra, which will be his last as an aurinegro. During the press conference, he expressed sadness at not being able to conclude his time with the club at the Santiago Martín arena in front of his fans.
Club president Aniano Cabrera described the news as “unexpected” and expressed “mixed feelings.” Also visibly emotional, Cabrera highlighted Huertas' contributions to the club over nearly eight years, both on and off the court.
Huertas' departure marks the end of one of the most significant periods in the recent history of the aurinegro club, characterised by his leadership and importance inside and outside the arena.
The Brazilian point guard had been considering an offer to join Dubai Basketball, a team in the United Arab Emirates coached by Spaniard Xavier Pascual, which competes in the EuroLeague. Huertas will return to train under Pascual, with whom he previously worked during his time at FC Barcelona, and will now compete again in the EuroLeague, where Dubai Basketball currently sits in sixth place.
