Dubai’s guard Dwayne Bacon gave an interview to the Greek media ahead of his team’s EuroLeague Round 12 matchup against Panathinaikos.
Former 40th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft is playing his third EuroLeague season with a third different team. He first played for Monaco (2021-22), then Panathinaikos (2022-23), and now is a star for the Dubai team.
Dwayne Bacon has played a significant offensive role for every team he has been part of. Currently with Dubai in the EuroLeague, he is averaging 15.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists over 11 games. This season, he has struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 25% (12/48) from three-point range.
Claim Now Dwayne Bacon was in good spirits as he answered numerous questions from Greek journalists. To start, he spoke about his impressions of the new team:
“I think everything is going quite smoothly, especially considering how we’ve had to deal with the injuries we started the season with. I believe we began training camp with only nine players at the EuroBasket. So it felt a bit like going back to preseason, and it was tough, especially for a new team starting out that way. But I think we made the most of it.”
“I’m the kind of player who’s used to being on teams that are new to the EuroLeague. I think this is my third year in the EuroLeague, and in two of those three seasons I’ve been part of teams that were newcomers to the competition.
I’m not someone who shies away from tough challenges. I liked what they presented to me. I spoke with the coach, I spoke with the General manager. Everything fit together, and I believed it was the best situation for me.”
Bacon reflected on the expectations of his new team for the current EuroLeague season:
“Naturally — to reach the playoffs. I think that’s where you have to start. Once you get into the playoffs, anything can happen. With this format — first a best-of-five playoff series and then a Final Four where four teams play knockout games — you need to take it one game at a time. So right now, our only concern is making it to the playoffs. We have that opportunity.”
“We don’t expect to come out and simply be the best team in the EuroLeague within four months. It takes time. We will make mistakes, because we have many new players who haven’t played at this level before. But we also have experience. And when, as I said, we manage to put all of that together and sync it… I think we’re going to be a very dangerous team.”
Following a diagnosis of a fracture in his right thumb, Dwayne Bacon will be unavailable for tonight’s matchup against Panathinaikos. ❌
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) November 20, 2025
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He highlighted which teams he sees as favorites for the Final Four:
“Always Panathinaikos. Always Olympiacos. Monaco for sure. Crvena Zvezda looks excellent. It’s the EuroLeague an incredibly competitive league. You never know who might win it. Some teams come out of nowhere and do the unthinkable.”
“I think Barcelona has a very, very good team. And now with Xavi (Pascual), they definitely have a strong chance to take another step forward.I could list ten teams right now. These guys are extremely talented and highly competitive. So you really never know, because everything can change from one moment to the next.”
While playing for Zenit Saint Petersburg, Bacon was coached by Xavi Pascual, who has now returned to the Barcelona bench. Bacon had an interesting comment about him:
“My collaboration with him was excellent. I learned many different things. First and foremost — calmness. Xavi took a risk with me when no one else would. And he let me be myself. That’s all I can ask for in any situation. Honestly, in the five years I’ve been in Europe, he is my favorite coach I’ve had.” – Bacon concluded.
The latest news reports that Dwayne Bacon will miss the game against Panathinaikos due to a thumb injury. He has been diagnosed with a fracture of his right thumb. His return to the court will depend on his recovery progress and the medical staff’s evaluation.
