The Chiba Jets revealed on Thursday that Yuta Watanabe, a former NBA player, will be joining their team for the 2024-25 B. League season. The Jets have agreed on the basics for the upcoming season with the 29-year-old forward, who is 206 centimeters tall.
From NBA to B. League
Yuta Watanabe, set to wear jersey number one, is set to join the Chiba Jets following his participation for Japan at the Paris Olympics. The team intends to convene a press briefing in August. Watanabe expressed his excitement on Instagram, stating, “I can’t wait to begin my new professional journey in Japan.”
A Stellar Career
In 2013, Watanabe completed high school at Jinsei Gakuen in Kagawa Prefecture and later enrolled in St. Thomas More School in Connecticut. After that, he competed for George Washington University, making history as the initial man born in Japan to earn an NCAA Division I basketball scholarship.
In 2018, Watanabe inked a two-way deal with the Memphis Grizzlies and played his first NBA game on October 27 of the same year. He spent more than six seasons in the NBA, suiting up for the Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, and Phoenix Suns before returning to Memphis in a trade. During an Instagram Live session in April, he shared his plan to depart from the NBA and go back to Japan.
Impressive Stats and National Team Contributions
Watanabe played in 213 NBA matches, with an average of 4.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 13.3 minutes per game. He posted averages of 15.6 points and 6.7 rebounds in 56 games in the NBA G League. Since high school, he has consistently represented Japan in major basketball competitions such as the FIBA Basketball World Cups and the Tokyo Olympics.
Exciting Future with the Jets
Last season, the Chiba Jets made it to the semifinals of the B. League and emerged victorious in the East Asia Super League. Fans are eagerly looking forward to Watanabe’s contributions to the team. The start of his professional career in Japan is eagerly anticipated by Jets fans as he returns to the country.
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