Former Toronto Raptors fan favorite Yuta Watanabe is close to signing with the Chiba Jets.
As a small market, Toronto had to find some diamonds in the rough and took a chance with Watanabe coming off a stint with the Memphis Grizzlies.
He went undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft, but Memphis was the first team to provide Watanabe an opportunity. When he came to the Raptors, fans became attached to him due to his story of coming into the NBA.
After two seasons with the Grizzlies, he spent his next two in Toronto. He quickly earned a reputation as a high-percentage three-point shooter, shooting 40 percent during the 2020-21 season.
Fast forward, Watanabe is now overseas and close to signing a deal with the Chiba Jets in Japan, via Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.
In 88 games with the Raptors, Yuta averaged 4.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.7 assists on 42.5 percent shooting from the field and 37.3 percent from three-point land. He also got to play with some of the best players in the league in Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal and Kyrie Irving.
When looking at the totality of his career, Watanabe played 213 games, starting nine and averaged 4.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.6 assists on 42.6 percent from the field and 37 percent from deep.
It is unfortunate that things did not materialize for him in the NBA and ultimately decided that he did not want to play anymore. After spending the beginning of this 2023-24 season with the Phoenix Suns, Watanabe was shipped back to Memphis at the trade deadline and only suited up for five games.
Yuta Watanabe plans to return to Japan for 2024-25 season
There was some interest in the Japanese forward during the 2023 offseason, resulting in him signing with Phoenix. But, it became clear that he may not have a ton of time and or interest in continuing his NBA career.
So, Watanabe revealed on Instagram Live on April 19 that he planned on going back to Japan for the 2024-25 season, effectively ending his time in the NBA.
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