This Asian-born player is primed to make his mark at basketball’s highest level.
One of the more exciting changes over the past decade in the NBA is the international attention the league is receiving. Whether that be from shoe sales or the sheer talent, there’s demand for NBA content. And it’s why the league has embraced regular season games that take place all over the world.
Attention also means international talent. It started with 5’8” guard Yuta Tabuse, who played one year for the Pheonix Suns in 2008. It continued with Yao Ming (China) and Jeremy Lin (Japanese-born).eague.
Watanabe at George Washington (Photo, gwsports.com)
Today, there’s another Asian player to watch–Yuta Watanabe–who looks to be a real contributor down the road. His is an inspiring story, too.
Watanabe was born on October 13, 1994, in Miki, Kagawa, an island of Japan. Watanabe’s basketball career got a boost right out of high school. He emigrated from Japan to play at St. Thomas More Preparatory Academy in Delaware.
From there, he attended the Atlantic 10’s George Washington University, where Watanabe honed his game. He went from averaging 7.4 points and 3.5 rebounds during his freshman year to putting up 16.3 points and 6.1 boards in his senior campaign. His defense improved, too, so much so that he was the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year during his senior year.
Will Watanabe’s traits and skills carry over to the NBA? Here’s why I think they will.
At 6-9, 205 pounds, he has the frame to play either frontcourt position. Watanabe has a feel for the game that eludes many peers of his age. He knows when to switch and where to attack the inside. But most importantly, he knows when to hit it from the outside. A prototypical 3-and-D big, Watanabe has a reputation for being a sniper.
The problem? He went undrafted. But, thankfully, the Nets gave him a chance in the summer league. And, boy, did he deliver! In five games, Watanabe averaged 9.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 threes a game. Although the stint was short, Watanabe was able to demonstrate that he’s an athletic stretch-four.
The Grizzlies saw that potential and signed him to a two-way contract. The thinking is that he’d contribute down the road. But it looks like he’ll pay off much earlier.
Watanabe is putting on a show for the Grizzlies’ G League team, the Memphis Hustle. He’s averaging 14.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3 three-pointers per game with 42% shooting beyond the arc. High games included 32 points against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants and 25 against the Rio Valley Van Pipers.
Watanabe looks to be comfortable at the G-League level. And, if he keeps it up, I think Watanabe could very well crack the Grizzlies’ rotation this year.
When asked about his race in relation to the NBA, Watanabe responded in the following way: “I don’t want to be an NBA player because I’m Japanese. I want to be an NBA player because I’m a basketball player like everyone else.”
That response shows Watanabe’s mettle. He is proving that you can make it into anywhere your heart desires.
Yuta Watanabe is going to be a difference maker … very, very soon.
