Yuta Watanabe
Japan national team in 2023 | |||||||||||||||
Free Agent | |||||||||||||||
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Position | Small forward / shooting guard | ||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||
Born | Yokohama, Japan | October 13, 1994||||||||||||||
Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) | ||||||||||||||
Listed weight | 215 lb (98 kg) | ||||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||||
High school |
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College | undrafted | ||||||||||||||
Playing career | 2018–present | ||||||||||||||
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 | ||||||||||||||
2024–2024 | Memphis Grizzlies | ||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
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Stats at NBA.com | |||||||||||||||
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |||||||||||||||
Medals
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Yuta Watanabe (渡邊 雄太, Watanabe Yūta, born October 13, 1994) is a Japanese professional
Before moving to the collegiate level, Watanabe attended Jinsei Gakuen High School in
High school career
Watanabe attended Jinsei Gakuen High School in Kagawa. He led the basketball team to the runner-up spot of the All-Japan High School Basketball Tournament in his final two years with the program. While in Jinsei Gakuen, Watanabe said his career goal was to make it to the NCAA and ultimately join the NBA.[2][3]
In late 2013, Watanabe traveled to the United States and attended
Watanabe was rated a 77 (three-star recruit) by ESPN Recruiting Nation. He was also given a three-star rating by Scout.com and the same composite grade.[6]
College career
In fall 2014,
After he joined
Freshman
On November 14, 2014, Watanabe made his debut for
As a freshman, Watanabe was a key bench player and an instrumental element on the Colonials' rotation. He was often awarded playing time in late-game situations.[10] Head coach Mike Lonergan said, "With Yuta, we have scoring off the bench. If I start Yuta, we have no scoring off the bench at all."[10]
Sophomore
On March 5, 2016, Watanabe posted career-highs in scoring and assists with 22 points and six assists in George Washington's 87–80 loss to
Overall, Watanabe was the team's leader in blocked shots with 40, ranking second in the Atlantic 10. His 8.4 points per game was the fifth best on the team.[11]
Junior
On November 15, 2016, Watanabe logged his first double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds in a 77–75 victory over Siena.[25] On January 8, 2017, he had a career-high three steals in a game against Richmond. Watanabe scored a season-high 21 points in an 80–71 loss against Illinois on March 20.[25]
As a junior, Watanabe was the second-leading scorer at George Washington at 12.2 points per game.[26] He was also named to the Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team.[27]
Senior
On November 20, 2017, Watanabe grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds versus
As a senior, Watanabe was George Washington's leading scorer at 16.3 points per game and second-leading rebounder with 6.1 per game, while also leading the team in blocks with 54.[26] He was named the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year,[30][31] becoming the first Colonial to win the award.[32] Watanabe also made the Atlantic 10 All-Conference's Third Team and Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team.[31] He also received George Washington's Patricio Garino Defensive Award and Mike Brown MVP Award, both awards named after the former basketball alumni.[33]
At the conclusion of Watanabe's college career, he ranked near the top of key categories in GWU history including second in blocked shots (147), second in games played (134) and 15th in scoring (1,460).[26]
Professional career
Memphis Grizzlies (2018–2020)
After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft, Watanabe played for the Brooklyn Nets in the 2018 NBA Summer League.[30] Afterwards, he signed a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies and their NBA G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle.[34] On October 27, 2018, Watanabe made his NBA debut, coming off the bench with two points and two rebounds in a 117–96 win over the Phoenix Suns. He became the second Japanese player to play in the NBA after Yuta Tabuse, who debuted with the Phoenix Suns in 2004.[35] Though he spent the majority of the season in the G League with the Hustle, the Grizzlies were third behind the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors in merchandise sold in Japan due to Watanabe's presence.[36] In the G League, Watanabe started in 32 of 33 games, averaging 14.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 blocks in 33.9 minutes while shooting 43.6 percent from the field and 33.1 percent from 3-point range.[37][38]
Watanabe shared his time playing back and forth for the Grizzlies and the Hustle for the season. On December 14, 2019, Watanabe and Rui Hachimura of the Washington Wizards became the first pair of Japanese players to share the court in the NBA.[39][40] On January 4, 2020, Watanabe had a team-high 28 points on 12-of-19 field goal shooting and 2-of-4 from three, to go with seven rebounds, four blocks, two assists and two steals in the Hustle's 130–127 win over the Iowa Wolves.[41] He scored a career-high 40 points on 14-of-20 shooting from the field and 8-of-11 from three on January 22, in a win versus the Delaware Blue Coats.[42][43] Watanabe was named Midseason All-NBA G League for the Western Conference.[44][45] In the G League, Watanabe started in all 22 games, averaging 17.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.0 block in 32.7 minutes while shooting 54.6 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from 3-point range.[37][46]
Toronto Raptors (2020–2022)
On November 27, 2020, Watanabe signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Toronto Raptors to join their pre-season roster.[47][48] On December 19, his deal was converted to a two-way contract, after he made the team out of pre-season.[49][50] On December 31, Watanabe debuted for the Toronto Raptors, recording four rebounds, one assist, a block and a steal across nine minutes in a 100–83 win over New York Knicks, notching their first victory of the season.[51][52] On January 29, 2021, Watanabe scored a then career-high 12 points coming off the bench, along with six rebounds, two assists and two steals in a season-high 24 minutes of action in a 126–124 loss to the Sacramento Kings.[53][54] In the fourth quarter, Watanabe logged seven points including a layup that cut the lead to one point.[55][56] On February 9, Watanabe sustained a left ankle injury during a workout.[57][58][59] After missing four games, he returned to action on February 18, logging two rebounds and a block across six minutes of play in a 110–96 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.[60] On March 4, Watanabe made his first career start against the Detroit Pistons, going scoreless but grabbing four rebounds in 11 minutes of action.[61][62]
On April 10, 2021, Watanabe scored a then career-high 14 points coming off the bench on 6-of-7 field goal shooting and 2-of-2 from three, including a buzzer beater 3-pointer that gave the Raptors a season-high lead in a quarter with 47–26 in the first, to go along with five rebounds, an assist and a steal across 23 minutes of action in a 135–115 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.[63][64][65][66] On April 16, Watanabe surpassed his career-high in scoring for the second time in a week with 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field and 2-of-4 from three, along with six rebounds, two assists and one block across 26 minutes in a 113–102 win over the Orlando Magic.[67][68][69][70] On April 18, Watanabe logged his third consecutive double-digit scoring game with 10 points, shooting 3-for-6 from the field and 1-for-2 from three, in addition to four rebounds and four assists in 29 minutes off the bench in a 112–106 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. The double-digit scoring streak was the longest in his three-year NBA career.[71][72] On April 19, the Raptors announced they had converted Watanabe's two-way deal to a standard contract.[73] Despite being a two-way player, Watanabe never played in the G League with the Raptors 905.[74]
Due to a left calf sprain, Watanabe missed the first 18 games of the 2021–22 season.[75] He returned on November 24, 2021, posting three points and two blocks in 14 minutes of play against the Memphis Grizzlies.[76] On December 14, Watanabe logged his first career double-double with 12 points coming off the bench on 5-of-8 field goal shooting and 2-of-4 from three and a then career-high 11 rebounds, to go along with two assists and a steal across 26 minutes of action in a 124–101 win over the Sacramento Kings.[77] On December 26, Watanabe posted his second double-double with 26 points and 13 rebounds, both career-highs, in a 144–99 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.[78][79]
Brooklyn Nets (2022–2023)
On August 28, 2022, Watanabe signed with the Brooklyn Nets in free agency.[80] During November 2022, Watanabe led the NBA in three point shooting percentage at that point in the 2022–23 season.[81] Watanabe would have his best career season shooting from beyond the arc at 44.4%.[51]
Phoenix Suns (2023–2024)
On July 4, 2023, Watanabe signed with the Phoenix Suns.[82]
Return to Memphis (2024)
On February 8, 2024, Watanabe was traded back to the Memphis Grizzlies in a three-team trade involving the Brooklyn Nets.[83]
Planned return to Japan
Following the conclusion of the regular season, Watanabe announced his intent to decline his player option for the following season and return to Japan to play professionally there.[84]
National team career
The
Player profile
A spark-off-the-bench player,
Watanabe supposedly lacked panache at the time he joined the George Washington basketball program, with teammate Kevin Larsen commenting, "We told him to find a new celebration because the one he had wasn't cutting it. He was, like, jumping in the air making a weird face. So we tried to help him find a new one."[10] Watanabe sometimes mimicks Carmelo Anthony, using the "three to the dome" celebration after making three-pointers.[10]
Personal life
Watanabe was born on October 13, 1994, in
On May 26, 2022, former
Career statistics
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
NBA
Regular season
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018–19 | Memphis | 15 | 0 | 11.6 | .294 | .125 | .700 | 2.1 | .5 | .3 | .1 | 2.6 |
2019–20 | Memphis | 18 | 0 | 5.8 | .441 | .375 | .375 | 1.1 | .3 | .3 | .1 | 2.0 |
2020–21 | Toronto | 50 | 4 | 14.5 | .439 | .400 | .828 | 3.2 | .8 | .5 | .4 | 4.4 |
2021–22 | Toronto | 38 | 4 | 11.7 | .406 | .342 | .600 | 2.4 | .6 | .3 | .4 | 4.3 |
2022–23 | Brooklyn | 58 | 1 | 16.0 | .491 | .444 | .723 | 2.4 | .8 | .4 | .3 | 5.6 |
2023–24 | Phoenix | 29 | 0 | 13.2 | .361 | .320 | .667 | 1.6 | .3 | .3 | .2 | 3.6 |
2023–24 | Memphis | 5 | 0 | 16.4 | .316 | .100 | .000 | 1.8 | 1.0 | .6 | .0 | 2.6 |
Career | 213 | 9 | 13.3 | .426 | .370 | .675 | 2.3 | .6 | .4 | .3 | 4.2 |
Playoffs
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | Toronto | 4 | 0 | 2.6 | .333 | .000 | — | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 1.0 |
2023 | Brooklyn | 1 | 0 | 4.7 | .500 | .500 | .000 | 1.0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 3.0 |
Career | 5 | 0 | 3.0 | .375 | .333 | .000 | .2 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 1.4 |
College
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2014–15 | George Washington | 35 | 10 | 22.5 | .384 | .348 | .831 | 3.5 | .6 | .4 | .6 | 7.4 |
2015–16 | George Washington | 38 | 37 | 27.7 | .422 | .306 | .707 | 4.0 | 1.4 | .6 | 1.1 | 8.4 |
2016–17 | George Washington | 28 | 27 | 35.1 | .444 | .314 | .817 | 4.8 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 12.2 |
2017–18 | George Washington | 33 | 33 | 36.6 | .437 | .364 | .807 | 6.1 | 1.6 | .8 | 1.6 | 16.3 |
Career | 134 | 107 | 30.1 | .425 | .337 | .788 | 4.5 | 1.4 | .7 | 1.1 | 10.9 |
See also
Notes
References
- New York Times
- ^ a b c d Nagatsuka, Kaz (13 May 2013). "Japan's 'chosen one' has big dreams". JapanTimes.co.jp. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ^ Nagatsuka, Kaz (9 June 2013). "Teen standout Watanabe faces major challenges in pursuit of NBA dream". The Japan Times. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ^ "17th Annual National Prep School Invitational". NetScoutsBasketball.com. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Yuta Watanabe Bio". GWSports.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
- ^ a b Feinstein, John. "Yuta Watanabe, Japan's 'Chosen One,' hopes his path to GW leads to NBA". The Washington Post. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
- ^ a b "12 Yuta Watanabe". GWSports.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015.
- ^ "Yuta Watanabe". VerbalCommits.com. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ^ a b Nagatsuka, Kaz (5 February 2014). "Watanabe opts to go to George Washington U." The Japan Times. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Berkman, Seth (January 20, 2015). "Coming Off the Bench, a Basketball Ambassador". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017.
- ^ a b c "Japan's hoops hero: Watanabe primed for breakout junior season". The GW Hatchet. 2016-11-07. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
- ^ "GW Basketball Holds Court at the White House". gwtoday.gwu.edu. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
- ^ Nagatsuka, Kaz (19 February 2014). "Encouragement, advice helped steer Watanabe to GWU". The Japan Times. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
- ^ "2014 Geo. Washington Basketball Commitment List". Yahoo!. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
- ^ "Washington Post, New York Times Profile GW's Yuta Watanabe". Atlantic10.com. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
- ^ "Garino, George Washington beat Grambling St. 92-40". ESPN. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
- ^ "Grambling St Tigers vs. George Washington Colonials Box Score". ESPN. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
- ^ "GW's Larsen, Watanabe Sweep Atlantic 10 Hoops Weekly Awards". George Washington University Athletics. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
- ^ "George Washington upsets No. 11 Wichita State in final of Diamond Head Classic". The Washington Times. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
- ^ "Yuta Watanabe Game Log 2014-15 Regular Season". ESPN. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
- ^ "Kalinoksi, Watanabe Earn Final Weekly Awards". atlantic10.com. 9 March 2015. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
- ^ "GW Men's Hoops' Watanabe Earns Second A-10 Rookie of the Week Award". George Washington University Athletics. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
- ^ a b "Yuta Watanabe Game Log 2015-16 Regular Season". ESPN. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
- ^ a b "GW Men's Basketball Wins NIT Championship". GWSports.com. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
- ^ a b "Yuta Watanabe Game Log 2016-17 Regular Season". ESPN. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
- ^ a b c "Yuta Watanabe Biography". GWSports.com. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
- ^ "Cline Named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, Miller Voted as Coach of the Year". atlantic10.com. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
- ^ a b c "Yuta Watanabe Game Log 2017-18 Regular Season". ESPN. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
- ^ "Watanabe says an emotional goodbye to the Smith Center". The GW Hatchet. 2018-03-01. Retrieved 2021-04-26.
- ^ a b Buckner, Candace (July 12, 2018). "In Japan, he is 'The Chosen One.' Can Yuta Watanabe become the country's second-ever NBA player?". The Washington Post.
- ^ a b "Aldridge, Adams Named Atlantic 10 Co-Players of the Year, Rhode Island's Hurley Voted as Coach of the Year". atlantic10.com. 6 March 2018. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
- ^ Odeven, Ed (April 13, 2018). "Yuta Watanabe reflects on successful hoop career at George Washington". The Japan Times.
- ^ "Men's Basketball Hands Out Awards at Team Banquet". George Washington University Athletics. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
- ^ "Memphis Grizzlies sign Yuta Watanabe to two-way contract". Memphis Grizzlies. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
- ^ "Gasol, Conley lead Grizzlies to easy win over Suns 117-96". ESPN.com. October 27, 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
- Washington Post. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ a b "Yuta Watanabe G-League Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g Odeven, Ed (2019-04-18). "Yuta Watanabe makes positive impact as a rookie". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
- ^ "Basketball: Hachimura, Watanabe meet on NBA court in first for Japan". Kyodo News+. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
- ^ "Rui Hachimura and Yuta Watanabe Become the First Japanese NBA Players to Play Against Each Other". NextShark. 2019-12-16. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
- ^ "Grizzlies' Yuta Watanabe: Posts big line in G League". CBS Sports. January 5, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
- ^ Greer, Jarvis (January 22, 2020). "Hustle wins again as Yuta goes for 40". WMC Action News. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
- ^ Odeven, Ed (2020-01-23). "Yuta Watanabe scores career-high 40 points in NBA G League game". The Japan Times. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
- ^ Bakken, Bob (February 10, 2020). "Four Hustle players on G League midseason team". DeSoto Times-Tribune. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
- ^ "Hustle's Yuta Watanabe named to Midseason All-NBA G League team". The Japan Times. 2020-02-11. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
- ^ a b "Yuta Watanabe Is Making His Mark as the Raptors' New Glue Guy". Complex. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
- ^ Ewing, Lori (December 1, 2020). "Toronto Raptors sign Canadian Oshae Brissett, unveil camp roster in Florida". CTV.
Free-agent forwards Alize Johnson and Yuta Watanabe have signed one-year, Exhibit-10 contracts.
- ^ "Raptors Finalize 2020-2021 Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. December 1, 2020. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
- ^ "Yuta Watanabe, the NBA's second Japanese player, makes the Raptors after training camp". TSN Bardown. December 19, 2020.
- ^ "Raptors Sign Watson & Watanabe". NBA.com. December 20, 2020. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
- ^ a b "Yuta Watanabe Stats". ESPN.
- ^ "New York Knicks vs. Toronto Raptors Live Score and Stats - December 31, 2020 Gametracker". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
- ^ "Raptors' Yuta Watanabe: Solid in extended opportunity". CBSSports.com. 30 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
- ^ "Basketball: Rui Hachimura returns with 9 points in Wizards' defeat". Kyodo News+. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
Compatriot Yuta Watanabe came off the bench and scored a personal-high 12 points for the Toronto Raptors in their narrow 126-124 defeat to the Sacramento Kings. The forward's 24 minutes and 27 seconds on the court was his longest this season. The third straight defeat for the Raptors leaves them with a 7-12 record.
- ^ Rose, Aaron. "Raptors Continue To Struggle Against Below Average Teams". Sports Illustrated Toronto Raptors News, Analysis and More. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
- ^ "Kings slip past Raptors in shootout". Reuters. 2021-01-30. Retrieved 2021-01-30.
- ^ "Raptors' Yuta Watanabe: Tending to sprained ankle". CBSSports.com. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
- ^ "OG Anunoby, Yuta Watanabe Ruled Out Against Wizards". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
Watanabe's injury is a new one for the Raptors. He popped up on Toronto's injury report Wednesday with a left ankle sprain he sustains during a workout on Tuesday, Raptors coach Nick Nurse said. Watanabe was initially listed as questionable before being downgraded to doubtful and then out.
- ^ a b c d Smith, Doug (2021-04-14). "Analysis | Yuta Watanabe gets chance to prove he belongs with rash of injuries to Raptors roster". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
- ^ "Raptors' Yuta Watanabe: Limited role in return". CBSSports.com. 19 February 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
- ^ "Raptors' Yuta Watanabe makes first NBA start in loss against Pistons". The Japan Times. 2021-03-04. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- ^ "Raptors' Yuta Watanabe: Coming off bench". CBSSports.com. 4 March 2021. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
Watanabe got the start Wednesday against the Pistons, but he was ineffective, posting no points and four rebounds in 11 minutes.
- ^ "Raptors' Yuta Watanabe: Shows up with 14 points". CBSSports.com. 11 April 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
- ^ "Basketball: Raptors' Yuta Watanabe scores career-high 14 points in NBA". Mainichi Daily News. 2021-04-11. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
- ^ "Raptors use historic first half to cruise to win over Cavaliers". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
Toronto notched its season high in a quarter in leading 47-26 after the first, capped by Watanabe's 3-pointer at the buzzer.
- ^ "Raps take down Cavs 135-115 on the road as Trent Jr. erupts for 44 points and career-highs abound". Toronto Raptors. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
Yuta Watanabe also had a career night, coming off the bench to score a career-high 14 points, including a three to beat the buzzer at the end of the first quarter to give Toronto a 47-26 lead after one.
- ^ "Raptors' Yuta Watanabe: Scores career-high 21 points". CBSSports.com. 17 April 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
- ^ "Career-highs from Paul Watson Jr., Yuta Watanabe lead Toronto Raptors past Orlando Magic - TSN.ca". TSN. 2021-04-16. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
- ^ "Watson, Watanabe lead Raptors past Magic, 113-102". news.yahoo.com. 17 April 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
Watanabe was aggressive with his offense and he set his career high in scoring for the second time this week.
- ^ "Yuta Watanabe scores career-high 21 points in Raptors' win". The Japan Times. 2021-04-17. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
- ^ "Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Toronto Raptors Score and Stats - April 18, 2021 Gametracker". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
- ^ "Yuta Watanabe reaches double digits for third straight game; Raptors beat Thunder". The Japan Times. 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
- ^ Jamshidi, Soheil (April 19, 2021). "Raptors Sign Watanabe To A Standard NBA Contract". NBA.com. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
- ^ "Toronto Raptors: 3 two-way players who could be the next Yuta Watanabe". Raptors Rapture. 2021-04-20. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
With Toronto using their pair of two-way slots on Watanabe, who didn't play a minute of G League basketball this year, and rookie Jalen Harris, Masai Ujiri decided to reward Watanabe's improvement by giving him a proper NBA deal.
- ^ "Basketball: Raptors' Yuta Watanabe enters NBA's COVID-19 protocol". Kyodo News+. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
Despite missing the first 18 games of the season due to a calf injury, the 27-year-old Japanese is currently averaging 7.6 points and 4.3 rebounds in the 14 games he has appeared in.
- ^ Kern, Josh (2021-11-25). "Five Daily Thoughts: Heck of a win in Memphis". Raptors HQ. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
- ^ "Raptors use 70-point first half to rout Kings 124-101". The Score. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
- ^ "Yuta Watanabe's breakout shows he can be Raptors' sixth man". Raptors Rapture. 2021-12-27. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ "Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers Box Score, December 26, 2021". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2021-12-29.
- ^ "Brooklyn Nets Sign Yuta Watanabe". NBA.com. Retrieved 2022-08-31.
- ^ "Yuta Watanabe leading NBA in 3-point shooting amid Nets emergence", New York Post
- ^ "SUNS SIGN KEITA BATES-DIOP, DREW EUBANKS, CHIMEZIE METU AND YUTA WATANABE". NBA.com. July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ "Grizzlies complete three-team trade with Suns and Nets". NBA.com. February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
- ^ Rose, Aaron (2024-04-20). "Former Raptors Favorite Announces his Departure from the NBA". Sports Illustrated Toronto Raptors News, Analysis and More. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
- ^ "JPN - The 'Chosen One' is here for Japan". FIBA. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
- ^ "Cimino, Watanabe Sign NLIs to Join GW - Pickin' Splinters". 17 April 2014. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
- ^ "EABC 2013". www.asia-basket.com. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
- ^ "Yuta Watanabe profile, FIBA Asia Championship for Men 2013". archive.fiba.com. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
- ^ "2013 FIBA Asian Championship for Men Event Standing". archive.fiba.com. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
- ^ "Yuta Watanabe profile, FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2016". FIBA.COM. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
- ^ "Japan at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers 2019". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
- ^ "Japan at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
- ^ "Raptors Announce Signing of Japanese Forward Yuta Watanabe". SLAM. 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
- ^ a b c "Raptors' sparkplug hopes for a basketball boom in Japan". Toronto Raptors. February 2, 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
- ^ a b Casciaro, Joseph (4 February 2021). "The All-Nobody Team: 5 NBA players quickly becoming somebodies". theScore.com. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
- ^ a b c Rose, Aaron. "Yuta Watanabe Is Proud of How Well He's Playing Lately". Sports Illustrated Toronto Raptors News, Analysis and More. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
- ^ Kern, Josh (2021-02-04). "What is Yuta Watanabe's role on this Raptors team?". Raptors HQ. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
- ^ a b Kern, Josh (2021-04-19). "Report: Raptors sign Watanabe to standard NBA deal". Raptors HQ. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
- ^ Reiland, Mikeie (2019-09-05). "Japanese basketball's 'Chosen One' is playing in the G League". SBNation.com. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
- ^ "【速報】久慈暁子アナウンサーとNBA渡邊雄太選手が婚約(FNNプライムオンライン)". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-05-26.
- ^ "久慈暁子がNBA渡辺雄太と婚約 恩返しの意味込めて古巣フジ「ポップUP!」でサプライズ発表 - 結婚・熱愛 : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-05-26.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com
- George Washington Colonials bio
- Yuta Watanabe at fiba.basketball
- Yuta Watanabe at archive.fiba.com