Yuta Watanabe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Yuta Watanabe

Watanabe with the Japan national team in 2023
No. 1 – Chiba Jets Funabashi
Small forward / power forward
Personal information
Born	(1994-10-13) October 13, 1994 (age 30) Yokohama, Japan
High school	Jinsei Gakuen (Zentsūji, Japan) St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Connecticut)
Listed height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight	215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
College	George Washington (2014–2018)
NBA Draft	2018 / Undrafted
Pro career	2018–present
League	B.League
Career history
2018–2020	Memphis Grizzlies
2018–2020	→Memphis Hustle
2020–2022	Toronto Raptors
2022	→Raptors 905
2022–2023	Brooklyn Nets
2023–2024	Phoenix Suns
2024	Memphis Grizzlies
2024–present	Chiba Jets Funabashi
Career highlights and awards
Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year (2018) Third-team All-Atlantic 10 (2018) 2× Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team (2017, 2018)
Medals Men's basketball Representing  Japan East Asia Basketball Championship Bronze 2013 Incheon Team

Yuta Watanabe (渡邊 雄太, Watanabe Yūta, born October 13, 1994) is a professional basketball player from Japan. He currently plays for the Chiba Jets Funabashi in Japan's B.League.

Yuta made history by becoming the first Japanese-born student to get a basketball scholarship for NCAA Division I in the United States. He played college basketball for the George Washington Colonials. In 2018, he was named the best defensive player in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Yuta has also played for the Japanese national team, helping them win a bronze medal in 2013.

Early Basketball Journey

Yuta Watanabe started his high school basketball career at Jinsei Gakuen High School in Kagawa, Japan. He helped his team reach the finals of the All-Japan High School Basketball Tournament twice. Even then, Yuta dreamed of playing in the NBA.

In 2013, Yuta moved to the United States. He attended St. Thomas More Preparatory School in Connecticut. In his only season there, he averaged 13 points and 6 rebounds per game. He helped his team achieve a great record and reach the National Prep Championship game. Yuta was even called "the Chosen One" by The Japan Times.

College Basketball Years

Yuta was the fourth Japanese-born player to compete in NCAA Division I. The first three were KJ Matsui (left), Michael Takahashi (center), and Taishi Ito (right).

In 2014, Yuta decided to play for the George Washington Colonials. This was a big step, as he became the first Japanese-born male player to receive an NCAA Division I basketball scholarship. He was also only the fourth Japanese player ever to play at that level.

Yuta's journey to college basketball in the U.S. was a big deal. Major newspapers like The New York Times and The Washington Post wrote about him. He inspired many people, especially in Japan, showing that Japanese players could succeed in American college basketball.

Freshman Season (2014–2015)

Yuta playing for George Washington in February 2015

Yuta made his college debut on November 14, 2014. He scored 8 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in a big win. In December, he was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week. He helped his team win the Diamond Head Classic tournament.

Later in the season, Yuta scored a career-high 21 points against Massachusetts. He earned his second Rookie of the Week award, showing he was a key player for his team.

Sophomore Season (2015–2016)

On March 5, 2016, Yuta scored a career-high 22 points and had 6 assists. On March 31, he helped George Washington win the 2016 National Invitation Tournament. This was the first time the team won a postseason championship.

Yuta led his team in blocked shots with 40, which was the second-highest in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

Junior Season (2016–2017)

In November 2016, Yuta achieved his first "double-double" with 13 points and 12 rebounds. A double-double means getting double-digit numbers in two different stats, like points and rebounds.

He was the second-highest scorer for George Washington, averaging 12.2 points per game. He was also named to the Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team for his excellent defense.

Senior Season (2017–2018)

In his final college season, Yuta continued to shine. He grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds in November 2017. In his last game for the Colonials, he scored a career-high 31 points.

Yuta was the leading scorer for George Washington, averaging 16.3 points per game. He was named the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year, which was a first for his team. He also made the Atlantic 10 All-Conference's Third Team. By the end of his college career, Yuta ranked second in blocked shots and games played in GWU history.

Professional Basketball Career

Memphis Grizzlies (2018–2020)

Yuta Watanabe (right) and Rui Hachimura in 2020

Yuta with the Grizzlies in 2020

After college, Yuta joined the Brooklyn Nets for the NBA Summer League. Then, he signed a special contract with the Memphis Grizzlies and their G League team, the Memphis Hustle. On October 27, 2018, Yuta made his NBA debut. He became only the second Japanese player to play in the NBA.

He spent most of his time with the Memphis Hustle in the G League. In December 2019, Yuta and Rui Hachimura became the first two Japanese players to play against each other in an NBA game. In January 2020, Yuta scored a career-high 40 points in a G League game.

Toronto Raptors (2020–2022)

In November 2020, Yuta signed with the Toronto Raptors. He made his debut for the Raptors on December 31, 2020. On January 29, 2021, he scored a career-high 12 points.

In April 2021, Yuta had an amazing week, scoring 14 points in one game and then 21 points in another. He had three games in a row with double-digit points, his longest streak in the NBA. The Raptors then gave him a standard contract.

Brooklyn Nets (2022–2023)

Yuta signed with the Brooklyn Nets in August 2022. In November 2022, he was one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA. He had his best season shooting from long range, making 44.4% of his three-pointers.

Phoenix Suns (2023–2024)

In July 2023, Yuta signed with the Phoenix Suns.

Return to Memphis (2024)

In February 2024, Yuta was traded back to the Memphis Grizzlies. After the season, he decided to return to Japan to play basketball there.

Chiba Jets Funabashi (2024–present)

On July 11, 2024, Yuta Watanabe signed with the Chiba Jets Funabashi in Japan's B.League.

Playing for Japan

Yuta with the Japanese national team

Yuta has been a key player for the Japanese men's national basketball team. He made his debut for the senior team at just 18 years old in 2013. He helped Japan win a bronze medal at the 2013 East Asia Basketball Championship. In one game, he scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds against Macau.

Yuta also played in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup. He led the Japanese team in points and overall performance during the tournament.

Player Skills

Yuta against Hong Kong in 2013

Yuta Watanabe is known for his strong defense. He has "great hands" and is often in the right place on the court. Coaches and sports writers have praised his "defensive instinct" and how his defense helps his teammates.

He is also known for his high basketball IQ, meaning he understands the game very well. He rarely makes mistakes and learns quickly from his coaches. Yuta's energy and hustle are also big parts of his game. He is always moving, which helps him on both offense and defense.

Personal Life

Yuta Watanabe was born on October 13, 1994, in Yokohama, Japan. His family has a strong basketball background. His mother, Kumi, played for the Japanese women's national team. His father played professional basketball in Japan. Yuta's sister, Yuki, also played basketball.

Growing up, Yuta's favorite NBA team was the Los Angeles Lakers. His favorite player was the legendary Kobe Bryant. In May 2022, Yuta married Akiko Kuji, a former TV announcer.

Career Statistics

These tables show Yuta Watanabe's performance in the NBA and college.

NBA

Regular season

Playoffs

College

See also

In Spanish: Yuta Watanabe (baloncestista) para niños

• Basketball in Japan
• Basketball in the United States