By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Dubai announced Awudu Abass will be staying for the 2025-26 season on Friday.
Heading to the team debut in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, the 32-year-old small forward emerged as the sixth player with a contract for the next season, following Danilo Andjusic, Davis Bertans, Nemanja Dangubic, Nate Mason, and Klemen Prepelic, in addition to head coach Jurica Golemac.
Carrying the experience of 73 games played from earlier in his career, Abass is among the Dubai players returning to Europe’s premier club continental competition. Virtus Segafredo Bologna, EA7 Emporio Armani / AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan, and Mapooro Cantu were his previous sides, with his last appearance dating late in the 2023-24 journey, before switching to Dubai for the 2024-25 season.
The inaugural expedition in team history featured the AdmiralBet ABA League, ranking third in the 2024-25 Regular Season, and reaching the Semifinals of the Playoffs. The native of Como, Italy, put in 11.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.4 blocks per contest over 35 appearances.
Abass was crowned domestic league champion in Italy with Olimpia Milan in 2018 and Virtus Bologna in 2021, and was part of the 2021-22 championship run of the latter club in the 7DAYS EuroCup but spent most of the season on the injury list. Besides the teams based in Cantu, Milan, and Bologna, he powered up fellow Italian club Germani Brescia from 2018 to 2020.
Experience with the senior national team of Italy in major international tournaments incluides the FIBA World Cup 2019, EuroBasket 2017, and Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in 2021 and 2024.
Photo Credit: ABA-Liga.com