Dubai Basketball announced a sweeping change to its roster, confirming that five players — Nate Mason, Bruno Caboclo, Taran Armstrong, Boogie Ellis and Matt Ryan — will depart after the conclusion of the 2025‑26 season. The move comes as the organization prepares for a fresh campaign in the highly competitive EuroLeague environment.
A turbulent offseason
The departures mark the end of a period that saw the team experiment with a blend of veteran presence and emerging talent. Mason, the first signing of the 2024 campaign, never saw action in the EuroLeague, while Caboclo, who joined mid‑season in January, managed only 6.3 points and 3.1 rebounds across 11 appearances. Armstrong and Ryan, though not detailed in the release, are also set to move on, leaving the club with significant gaps in its backcourt and frontcourt.
Boogie Ellis, who was on loan at Galatasaray earlier in the year, will not return to Dubai Basketball for the 2026‑27 season. In five EuroLeague games he posted 11.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and an 8.0 performance index rating, numbers that made his temporary stint one of the more impactful performances despite the limited sample size.
Galatasaray, the Turkish powerhouse, will continue to benefit from Ellis’s services on loan, a partnership that underscores the interconnected nature of modern European basketball. The Turkish club’s official website, galatasaray.org, will likely provide further details on his role moving forward.
What lies ahead for Dubai Basketball?
With the exits of five experienced players, the club now faces a pivotal decision point: whether to rebuild around younger prospects or to pursue high‑profile replacements in the transfer market. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the management finalizes a roster that could redefine the team’s identity in the upcoming season.