Yuta Watanabe

About

Japanese-born basketball player who signed with Toronto Raptors during the 2020-21 NBA season. While in college at George Washington University, he won the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year in 2018. He later played for the Brooklyn Nets. 

Before Fame

In 2013, he traveled to the United States and attended St. Thomas More Preparatory School in Oakdale, Connecticut with hopes of playing basketball at an American college. 

Trivia

On October 27, 2018, he made his NBA debut as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, coming off the bench in a 117-96 win over the Phoenix Suns. He became the second Japanese player to play in the NBA after Yuta Tabuse during the 2004 season. 

Family Life

He comes from a basketball family, as his mother, Kumi, played professionally for the Chanson V-Magic, as well as the Japanese women's national team. His father played professionally for the Kumagai Gumi Bruins, and his sister, Yuki, has played professionally. He is married to TV host Akiko Kuji.

Associated With

Growing up, his favorite basketball player was Kobe Bryant.