After eight seasons in the EuroLeague, Rolands Smits is set to join the Ningbo Rockets in China, according to BasketNews sources. The durable Latvian big man leaves Europe after averaging 6.7 points for Anadolu Efes last season.
Longtime EuroLeague forward Rolands Smits is set to continue his career in China.
Smits is finalizing a deal with the Ningbo Rockets of the Chinese Basketball Association, sources tell BasketNews and Andrejs Silins.
Ferhat Yesiltas was first to report about both sides nearing a deal.
The move comes after the 31-year-old Latvian attracted interest from multiple European teams this summer.
Earlier in August, fellow Latvian Arturs Zagars signed with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls after spending the previous two seasons with Fenerbahce Istanbul.
Credit Anadolu Efes Sk
Smits leaves EuroLeague after eight seasons
Smits spent the previous two seasons with Anadolu Efes Istanbul and appeared in 35 EuroLeague games in 2025-26, averaging 6.7 points and 3.1 rebounds in 19 minutes per game. He shot 62.1% from two-point range and 32.9% from three.
The Latvian has established himself as one of the EuroLeague’s most reliable and durable big men. Across his EuroLeague career, which also included spells with FC Barcelona and Zalgiris Kaunas, Smits has converted approximately 62% of his two-pointers and 36% of his threes.
Durability has also been one of his biggest strengths. Smits has missed only a handful of games since the 2019-20 season and ranks sixth in EuroLeague appearances over that period.
His move to Ningbo will end an eight-season EuroLeague run.
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