The Grizzlies have signed rookie forward Yuta Watanabe to a two-way contract, according to a team press release.
The signing has international significance. Watanabe will likely become just the second player born in Japan to appear in an NBA game. Yuta Tabuse appeared in four games for the Suns during the 2004/05 season.
The Grizzlies opened up a two-way contract slot by waiving swingman Myke Henry earlier on Friday.
The 6’9” Watanabe played for the Nets’ summer league team after going undrafted and averaged 9.4 PPG, 4.2 RPG and 1.6 BPG in 24.0 MPG over five games.
Watanabe played four years of college ball at George Washington University. Watanabe, 23, was named the 2017/18 Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year while averaging 16.3 PPG, 6.1 RPG and 1.6 blocks in 36.6 MPG.
Name of the year candidate
Just noticed the other Japanese guy to play in the NBA was called Yuta as well. You couldn’t make it up.