It was announced last month that NBA journeyman Jimmer Fredette would be heading to the largest city in the world – Shanghai.

The former BYU standout signed a deal to play for Yao Ming’s Shanghai Sharks in the Chinese Basketball Association in the forthcoming season and it’s now time for him to make the journey to Asia.

When speaking to Deseret News Sports’ Dick Harmon last Friday, Fredette made it clear that it’s not a career development that he expected but it’s definitely one that he’s embracing.

“We’re looking at this as an adventure,” Fredette said. “It wasn’t on our bucket list to go to China, but we’ve never been there. We are excited to live in that part of the world and experience new things.”

The shooting guard is reportedly hoping to impress in China and take advantage of the shorter CBA season that only runs from October to February, by then returning to the U.S. to scope any potential NBA opportunities.

His next opportunity to impress NBA personnel will come a lot sooner though, as his new Sharks team have a pre-season exhibition game schedule in early October against the Houston Rockets. Shortly after, his season in China begins.

“I’m anxious to get it started.”

It seems that from a basketball point of view, Fredette won’t have to adapt dramatically but he is prepared to be struck by the sheer size of the city he will temporarily call home.

“It is very similar to an NBA style of play with the Sharks,” Fredette said. “And in a city three times the size of New York City, it will be a lot of fun. I can’t imagine a city that size after being in New York last year.”

Fredette is aware that he will be met with lofty expectations when he joins newly drafted and stashed Boston Celtics forward Guerschon Yabusele in donning the Sharks uniform.

“I just want to get better. My goal is to improve everything I do,” said Fredette. “As an American, they want you to go over there and score the basketball, to be free and play your game and try to produce. That’s my game, to be aggressive, to score, make the right play. I think it will continue to grow my confidence and get me prepared for my future.”