D’Angelo Russell’s next chapter will be a long way from the NBA.
The former All-Star has agreed to join the Shanghai Sharks of the Chinese Basketball Association, with the CBA announcing the shock move on Wednesday.
The 30-year-old guard was waived by the Memphis Grizzlies just days earlier, bringing a sudden end to an 11-year NBA career that included stops with the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks.
Russell was selected No. 2 overall by the Lakers in the 2015 NBA Draft and went on to earn an All-Star selection with Brooklyn during the 2018-19 season, averaging 21.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 7.0 assists.
He finished his NBA career having played 655 regular-season games, averaging 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists while shooting 36.3 per cent from three-point range.
His most recent NBA season was a difficult one by comparison.
Russell appeared in just 26 games for Dallas, averaging 10.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists before being traded to Washington at the February deadline. He never played for the Wizards before eventually being sent to Memphis in July as part of a six-team trade.
Memphis waived Russell on September 25, and just five days later, he had found his next destination.
The Shanghai Sharks are also coming off a championship season, winning their first CBA title in 25 years.
Russell will now become one of the league’s biggest names, joining former NBA players including Hassan Whiteside in Shanghai.
It also marks the first time Russell will play professionally outside the United States.
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