NBA veteran Yuta Watanabe ,29, took to Instagram on Friday night to announce his decision to return home to Japan putting an end to his six-year NBA career. Watanabe appeared in 34 games during the 2023-2024 season between the Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies. He averaged 3.4 points and 1.6 rebounds per game last season.
Watanabe leaves a clear impact on the National Basketball Association as he is one of only three Japanese-born players to play in the league. Los Angeles Lakers Rui Hachimura and retired Point Guard Yuta Tabuse are the other two. How will Watanabe fare over in Japan with his NBA career in the rearview mirror?
Yuta Watanabe Career Summary
Yuta Watanabe announces on IG live that he plans to deny his player option with the Grizzlies and go play in Japan for the 2024-25 season, ending his 6-year NBA career 🫡
(via @wacchi1013) pic.twitter.com/LDmLVKpw5H
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 20, 2024
Watanabe made his NBA debut in 2018 with the Memphis Grizzlies out of George Washington University. He spent the first two years of his career with the Memphis Grizzlies before then spending time with the Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, and Phoenix Suns. He signed a two-year $5 million contract with Phoenix during the 2023 NBA Offseason.
He was able to end his NBA career where it all began as Watanabe was dealt to the Memphis Grizzlies before February’s NBA Trade Deadline.
Watanabe was never able to play more than 58 games in a season as various injuries over his career limited his time on the hardwood. A wrist injury suffered on March 1 ended Watanabe’s final NBA season prematurely. Watanabe finished his NBA career averaging 4.2 points per game on 37 percent shooting from behind the arc.
With his NBA career now in the rearview Watanabe will return to his homeland of Japan as he looks to inspire the next generation that they could be the next player from the country to make it to the league.
About The Author
Justin has always loved sports. He has previously written for Sports Illustrated and 247Sports. Check out all the great content Total Apex Sports has to offer. Check us out on X @TotalApexSports and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy Sports
