XI'AN, July 4 (Xinhua) -- U.S. native Robert Ridjell Upshaw III has inked a contract with the Shaanxi Wolves for the upcoming Chinese National Basketball League (NBL) season, the club announced Tuesday.
At age 29, Upshaw III showcased his skills in the NBA summer league back in 2015. After playing in Estonia, Lebanon, Spain, and Belarus, the 2.13-meter center joined Tainan TSG Ghosthawks in Chinese Taipei's T1 league for the 2022-23 season.
He averaged an impressive 21.8 points and 12 rebounds in the regular season, propelling the Ghosthawks to a second-place finish.
"With his exceptional shooting and dribbling skills, Upshaw III brings us great expectations as our first non-Chinese player in the new season," the Wolves expressed in its announcement.
The Wolves has a storied history, having clinched the NBL titles in 2015, 2017 and 2018. In the 2022-2023 season, the team earned a respectable runner-up finish.
After the new NBL season kicked off on July 2, the Wolves will begin its campaign on home court against the Suke Lion on Wednesday. ■
