Dubai Basketball announced the acquisition of Thomas Walkup from Olympiacos Piraeus for a reported $2.6 million, with the American‑born guard committing to a five‑year contract that runs until the end of 2029.
Thomas Walkup’s Journey to the Gulf
Walkup arrived at Olympiacos in 2021 after a stint with Zalgiris Kaunas, quickly becoming a cornerstone of the team’s domestic success and a standout on the European stage, having earned the 2024 EuroLeague Best Defender honor and led the league in steals during the 2022‑23 season. After obtaining Greek citizenship in 2023, he represented Greece at the 2024 Paris Olympics, adding an international dimension to his résumé.
Because Olympiacos did not include a buyout clause in Walkup’s contract, the transfer required direct negotiations between the two clubs, a process that followed months of talks and the initial rejections Dubai faced during the summer transfer window.
Disciplinary Review and Club Outlook
EuroLeague Basketball opened a disciplinary procedure into Dubai Basketball’s handling of the deal, citing concerns over the club’s approach and the absence of a buyout mechanism, though no sanction has been announced to date.
Dubai’s roster already features several players under contract through 2028‑2029, with some individuals currently on loan or slated for departure, indicating a strategic build‑up aimed at contending for the upcoming seasons.