It’s been a lucrative 2019 for D’Angelo Russell. The 23-year old All-Star signed a four-year, $117 million max contract with the Golden State Warriors over the summer, and now he’s got a shoe endorsement with a future Hall of Famer.
Retired 16-year NBA veteran, Dwyane Wade announced on his Twitter that he signed Russell to be his first signature athlete to his “Way of Wade” line with the Chinese sports brand, Li-Ning. Russell will join fellow NBA players, CJ McCollum and Evan Turner under the Li-Ning umbrella.
In an interview with Bleacher Report Kicks, Wade said it was a “no brainer” on picking the one time Ohio State Buckeye to be the new on-court face of his brand. “Flash,” said he’s excited to pass the Way of Wade torch to the Golden State guard.
I’m excited to announce I’ve just signed my first signature athlete – D’Angelo Russell. @Dloading is the perfect player & person to continue the work that I started with @WayofWade. @Dloading…here’s to making your own way. Thank you for believing in us! pic.twitter.com/fPKx51sDDp
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) November 21, 2019
Russell’s deal with Nike ended last Fall, since then he was seen wearing a bevy of different kick brands. Russell has been rocking Way of Wade’s for a majority of the 2019 season with Golden State before officially signing the dotted line on Thursday. There’s yet to be an announcement on if Russell will get his own signature shoe.
Marc Stein of the New York Times reported back in October that a deal between Russell and Li-Ning could be on the way.
Basketball development of a different sort from China: The Li-Ning brand Way of Wade has been pushing to close a lucrative deal with new Warriors guard D'Angelo Russell to make Russell a brand ambassador, according to industry sources
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 17, 2019
Russell will be the fourth member of the Dubs to be represented by a shoe brand headquartered in China. Klay Thompson, Kevon Looney and Jacob Evans III are all sponsored by Anta, with Thompson repping his latest signature shoe from the brand, the KT 5s.
Russell is currently dealing with a right thumb sprain, but wearing Li-Ning’s might be a good luck charm for the fifth-year pro. In November, the point guard is averaging 29.7 points and 7.2 assists while shooting 48.4 percent from the field. With Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson sidelined for the significant future, Russell has a chance to be the on-court face of not only the Way of Wade brand, but the Golden State Warriors as well.