NBA Star D'Angelo Russell Makes Big Announcement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Garret Schnitker | Last updated May 22, 2025 6:23 PM ET

Originally a Nike-sponsored athlete, Brooklyn Nets star D’Angelo Russell did not renew his contract and instead chose to sign to Dwyane Wade’s company, Way of Wade, on Feb. 1, 2019. This was same day Russell was awarded his first and only All-Star selection, according to wayofwade.com.

Since 2019, Russell has been sporting the Li Ning Way of Wade shoes with his own designed colorways. However, after the 10th season for the former No. 2 pick out of Ohio State, Russell announced his new shoe and did a launch event in China. The veteran guard is visiting Kunming, Beijing, Changsha, and Hong Kong to hold basketball clinics, a live podcast, as well as meet-and-greets (via NetsDaily).

The launch announcement of his first signature shoe with Way of Wade made rounds on social media on Tuesday.

D’Angelo Russell officially launched his first signature sneaker, the Way of Wade DLO1 pic.twitter.com/Qf8wX0Nudl
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) May 20, 2025

Russell made quite the appearance during his time in China by playing in a pick-up game with locals while also attending the championship for the CBA Finals. The Brooklyn star attracted incredible masses of people for his live Q&A and meet-and-greets, where he was able to accentuate his reciprocated love for the Chinese fanbase.

The get-in price for the local mall to see Russell and ask questions or for autographs and pictures was 2,299 Chinese Yuan or $320. Russell is extremely popular in China, large in part due to his stints with the Los Angeles Lakers twice, Brooklyn Nets twice, and Golden State Warriors; these franchises have the largest NBA fan bases in China ( via SportsPro).

While thousands of people wanted to hear that the star free agent would return to Brooklyn next season, he declined to answer and instead chose to praise the franchise for his continued growth during both stints. After being traded from the Lakers to the Nets again on Dec. 29 of last year for Dorian Finney-Smith, Russell is set to be an unrestricted free agent this summer after accepting his player option last season with the Lakers, according to spotrac.com.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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