Victory Basket Bolsters Roster with American Player Trebin Treberero

Al Nasr basketball team has signed American player Trabien Trabiero as their third foreign professional ahead of the 37th Arab Clubs Championship, which the UAE club is hosting starting tomorrow. The tournament features 16 teams competing in what represents a major test for Emirati basketball on home soil.

Technical director Hossam Al-Wakeel, who's Egyptian, told local media that Trabiero joins from the Indonesian league. He'll play alongside Canadian Ogony Amory, who comes from the NBA, and American Marvel Harris, who's entering his third season with Al Nasr.

The timing matters because Al Nasr wants to make a strong impression as the host nation. They've been preparing since early this month with friendly matches against Saudi Arabia's Ittihad Jeddah, followed by cup preliminary rounds where they topped their group ahead of Shabab Al Ahli, Al Wasl, and Al Wahda.

But the team faces a significant challenge. Their international player Mamadou Ndiaye picked up an injury in their last match against Shabab Al Ahli and will miss two weeks of action. That's a blow for a squad that's mixing young players who've made their mark with the national team alongside experienced veterans and foreign professionals.

Al-Wakeel sees the tournament as crucial preparation for the domestic league. The competition brings together top Arab clubs from different basketball schools, giving his players valuable experience against varied playing styles.

The draw placed Al Nasr in Group 1 with Syria's Homs Al Fida (formerly Al Wathba), Kuwait's Al Qadisiya, and Yemen's Shaab Hadramout. They'll open their campaign tomorrow against the Yemeni side.

For UAE basketball, hosting this tournament represents an opportunity to showcase their development and compete against established regional powers. With home court advantage and a reinforced roster, Al Nasr carries the hopes of proving Emirati basketball belongs among the Arab elite.