Top 8 Action Arrives in Ljubljana as Cedevita Olimpija Host Dubai Basketball
The Top 8 stage continues on Sunday in Ljubljana, where Cedevita Olimpija will host Dubai Basketball in what promises to be a fascinating showdown between two ambitious teams.
Cedevita Olimpija team (Photo: Cedevita Olimpija/Filip Barbalic)
2025/26 AdmiralBet ABA League Top 8 Round 2, Sunday, 8 March 2026:
CEDEVITA OLIMPIJA - DUBAI BASKETBALL
Where? Stožice Arena, Ljubljana
When? 17:00
Story of the Game: The Top 8 stage continues on Sunday in Ljubljana, where Cedevita Olimpija will host Dubai Basketball in what promises to be a fascinating showdown between two ambitious teams.
While this will be Dubai Basketball’s second appearance in the Top 8, it will actually be the first game for Cedevita Olimpija in this stage. The Dragons were scheduled to open the round against U-BT Cluj-Napoca, but that game was postponed, meaning the Ljubljana side will officially start their Top 8 journey on home court against one of the league’s most in-form teams.
Dubai Basketball, on the other hand, opened the Top 8 in impressive fashion. In Round 1 they delivered a powerful performance against Bosna BH Telecom, securing a comfortable win and immediately showing their ambitions for the later stages of the competition.
Sunday’s clash will also mark the first meeting between Cedevita Olimpija and Dubai Basketball this season, but the two teams are already very familiar with each other. Last year they faced off five times, including a memorable quarter-final playoff series in which Dubai Basketball eventually prevailed 2-1 to advance.
Match-up in focus: Umoja Gibson vs. McKinley Wright IV.
One of the most intriguing duels of the night will take place at the guard positions, where Umoja Gibson and McKinley Wright IV are expected to lead their teams.
Gibson has proven to be one of the best summer signings for Cedevita Olimpija. The explosive guard quickly established himself as the offensive leader of the Dragons and currently stands as the team’s top scorer with 14.9 points per game, bringing energy, creativity and scoring punch to the backcourt.
Across the floor will be McKinley Wright IV, the engine of Dubai Basketball’s rise. After capturing the AdmiralBet ABA League MVP award last season, Wright has continued to prove that the honor was no coincidence. The dynamic playmaker is widely regarded as one of the best point guards in Europe, orchestrating Dubai Basketball’s offense and playing a key role in the club’s excellent season across all competitions.
Head-to-Head Score in ABA: In total 2:3; In Ljubljana 1:1.
