
D’Angelo Russell has a new home and it will be in China.
Days after his release by the Memphis Grizzlies, the 30-year-old Russell has signed with the Shanghai Sharks of the China Basketball Association, the league announced on Wednesday.
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Russell teased the move following his release last week by posting a video of his daughter saying “Ni Hao,” which means “hello” in Chinese.
The Sharks are reigning CBA champions, taking home the franchise’s first league title in 25 years last season. They are best know for being Yao Ming’s team from 1997 to 2022 before the eight-time NBA All-Star was drafted by the Houston Rockets first overall in 2022.
Russell was the No. 2 overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2015. He would go on to play two stints with the franchise, as well as the Brooklyn Nets, and also suit up for the Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks.
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He was voted on to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2015-16, made the NBA All-Star Game in 2018-19 and was part of the 2023 Lakers NBA Cup-winning squad.
Russell played 26 games with the Mavericks last season, averaging a little over 19 minutes per night and 10.2 points, 4 assists and 2.3 rebounds. He was dealt to Memphis by the Washington Wizards in July as part of a trade involving six teams and 11 players.
After being dealt to the Wizards at the trade deadline, Russell did not play again during the 2025-26 season as the sides discussed a potential buyout. That never happened and he exercised his $6 million player option for this season before the summer trade.






