Dubai Basketball's new Canadian big man Mfiondu Kabengele says he joined the emirate’s newest elite sports team to become a better player – and a better Muslim.
The 2.08m former NBA centre, who played 55 games with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics from 2019 to 2022, signed on a two-year deal from Reyer Venezia in Italy after impressing in last season’s EuroCup, the second tier of EuroLeague.
Kabengele was the EuroCup’s top rebounder, averaging 9.7 per game to go along with 15.4 points, earning him a spot on the All-EuroCup First Team. In the Italian League, he averaged 15.2 points and 9.8 rebounds.
He said after talking to Dubai’s coaching staff, he believes playing for the UAE club will give him the chance to show off his other talents.
“Rebounding, rebounding and setting good screens and being a defensive anchor is the cake of my game,” he said. “But the icing, the decoration – that's what kind of makes the cake pretty – was the shooting, attacking mismatches, pushing the break, potentially shooting outside the paint, shooting the three-pointer, that kind of stuff.
“One of the things that drew me [to Dubai] was because they recognised and watched my game and what it could be.
“A lot of people see me how I am and want me for how I am and not for what I could be. And that enticed me to come here because I know there's room for me to grow.
“I know it takes work. They told me you have to work for it. And then once I prove that I put the work in and show it in practice, I can grow my role steadily and surely, which is why I agreed to be here for a long period of time.
“I come from the NBA. EuroLeague is the second-best league in the world in my opinion, and the best league in Europe. So coming here, seeing the potential competition, a lot of guys who are veterans, pros, super skilled, because it is a little bit of a different game compared to the American style, but even though it is different aesthetically, the ability, the strategy is top-notch.”
Dubai play their first EuroLeague game against Partizan Belgrade on Tuesday, following an impressive first season in professional basketball, finishing third in the Adriatic region’s ABA League and earning an invitation to join Europe’s elite teams.
They brought in several experienced EuroLeague stars alongside a handful of former NBA players to ensure the best chance of competing against some of world basketball’s top teams.
But Kabengele, who helped the Rio Grande Valley Vipers to the 2022 championship in the NBA G League, its minor league, says his move to Dubai was about more than basketball.
“I became Muslim on February 11, 2023, and just the opportunity to be around other people [who share my faith], I feel like I'd be a better Muslim,” he said.
“I feel like I'd be a higher character, because you are who you surround yourself with. I feel being over here, being challenged, the way Dubai is set up, especially aesthetically and the culture here.
“I want to be the gentleman I was taught to be growing up. And I feel like Dubai will do that for me because of the people here, the mosques, the culture.
“It's exciting for me, especially because I know there's room for me to grow as a person, especially as a basketball player, so to be here and to be fully engulfed in it, there’s no turning back. My passport is stamped.”
Serbian point guard Aleksa Avramovic is another who arrived in Dubai with high expectations because of his experience, energy and scoring ability.
The Olympic bronze medallist signed on a three-year deal from CSKA Moscow, where he averaged 12.2 points and 3.4 assists.
He said joining so many former teammates for club and country means building team chemistry will be no problem for Dubai.
“This is the third team I have played together with [Nemanja] Dangubic. I played with [Danilo] Andusic in Partizan and now in the national team, and I know Filip Petrusev from the national team,” said the 30-year-old.
“A lot of people on the team are from the ex-Yugoslavia. We talk Serbian. About nine of our players speak Serbian, including [former NBA three-point shooter] Davis Bertans and [Dzanan] Musa too, so it's easier to make an impact on the court.
“We like each other, but we need to work. We need to grow up together and build team chemistry, to build momentum.”
Avramovic, who counts Dubai’s first opponents Partizan among his former teams, said a good start in EuroLeague is vital if they are going to compete with the best teams in the competition.
While the opening game may come too early for him because of a minor injury, he said he would love to make his Dubai debut against his former employer.
“Making a good start in the EuroLeague means a lot. It can define your season. It can guide you to the next level,” he said.
“If you have a good start, you just need to continue on that path, but if you start the wrong way, you will need to constantly find your rhythm, to find your form and to start to build your team's momentum. Then you will start to win.
“It would be very emotional playing against Partizan. It will be emotional, but I'm going to give 100 per cent, even more for Dubai.”
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
The bio
Date of Birth: April 25, 1993
Place of Birth: Dubai, UAE
Marital Status: Single
School: Al Sufouh in Jumeirah, Dubai
University: Emirates Airline National Cadet Programme and Hamdan University
Job Title: Pilot, First Officer
Number of hours flying in a Boeing 777: 1,200
Number of flights: Approximately 300
Hobbies: Exercising
Nicest destination: Milan, New Zealand, Seattle for shopping
Least nice destination: Kabul, but someone has to do it. It’s not scary but at least you can tick the box that you’ve been
Favourite place to visit: Dubai, there’s no place like home
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E640hp%20at%206%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E850Nm%20from%202%2C300-4%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E11.9L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh749%2C800%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Other ways to buy used products in the UAE
UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.
Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.
Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.
For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.
Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.
At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
The biog
Name: Dhabia Khalifa AlQubaisi
Age: 23
How she spends spare time: Playing with cats at the clinic and feeding them
Inspiration: My father. He’s a hard working man who has been through a lot to provide us with everything we need
Favourite book: Attitude, emotions and the psychology of cats by Dr Nicholes Dodman
Favourit film: 101 Dalmatians - it remind me of my childhood and began my love of dogs
Word of advice: By being patient, good things will come and by staying positive you’ll have the will to continue to love what you're doing
The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry
Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Super 30
Produced: Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Productions
Directed: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrinal Thakur
Rating: 3.5 /5
