D’Angelo Russell “excited” to join Nets, bonds with teammates

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – D’Angelo Russell has arrived in Brooklyn!

The 21-year-old landed Saturday night. His introductory press conference will take place on Monday at HSS Training Center in Brooklyn. In the meantime, Russell attended the BIG3 tournament at Barclays Center, just hours after working out (already) at HSS Training Center and posting this picture.

“I’m excited to get to work,” Russell told NetsDaily. “It’s all kind of fresh to me, but I’m ready.”

Asked if he spoke with Sean Marks about the Nets culture and the priority on high-character, Russell said it was definitely a “topic of discussion.”. Our conversation didn’t get further than that, but expect to hear more about it at Monday’s press conference.

Russell walked into Barclays Center to a mix of boos and cheers before taking his seat courtside. But remember: it wasn’t just Nets fans in the arena. There were fans of a lot of different teams there to see their favorites take to the floor once again.

Seated with Russell were three of his new teammates: Caris LeVert, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Archie Goodwin, all of them 22 or under. Judging by the cameraderie among them, they sure seemed like they had met before.

There were selfies and at one point when Fabolous, an unabashed Nets fan, took the stage, the four of them lit up, yelling to each other and enjoying the afternoon at the home arena. Off-court bonding doesn’t appear to be an issue, judging from Sunday.

Also on hand, Quincy Acy —all of 26— was in the stands nearby with his son, Austin, eating popcorn and watching the fun unfold. That’s just Q. Archie Goodwin was there with his brother, Michael.

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For Russell, the newest Net, it was a chance to familiarize himself with Brooklyn, the training center, the arena and his teammates, the building blocks Sean Marks has assembled and he’ll be working with. Tomorrow, there’ll be another “familiarization experience,” talking to the New York media.

It will probably be less fun.