Yuta Watanabe Rumors

For Japan, LA Lakers forward Rui Hachimura scored 29 points, while Yuki Kawamura added 12 and Yuta Watanabe 10.

EuroHoops.net

The Jets will hold a special official press conference after the Paris 2024 Olympics to provide background on Watanabe's signing, per the press release. The 29-year-old, 2.06 m forward is set to join Chiba for the 2024-25 season, according to the announcement. Sources indicate Watanabe signed a multi-million dollar contract, which is expected to be the highest in B.League history. According to BasketNews sources, the contract might exceed $5 million.

BasketNews

A veteran of 218 games played in the NBA, Yuta Watanabe will represent his country in France, before resuming his club career in Japan’s B.League next season. Final roster for Japan * Yudai Baba (Nagasaki Velca) * Rui Hachimura (Los Angeles Lakers) * Josh Hawkinson (Sun Rockers Shibuya) * Makoto Hiejima (Utsunomiya Brex) * Akira Jacobs (Hawaii Rainbow Warriors) * Yuki Kawamura (Yokohama B-Corsairs) * Kai Toews (Alvark Tokyo) * Keisei Tominaga (Indiana Pacers) * Yuki Togashi (Chiba Jets) * Hugh Watanabe (Ryukyu Golden Kings) * Yuta Watanabe (Memphis Grizzlies) * Hirotaka Yoshii (Alvark Tokyo)

EuroHoops.net

Yuta Watanabe: My 6 year NBA journey has officially ended. Honestly, there were a lot of difficult things, but looking back, these six years have been like a dream. NBA life started in Memphis land. Toronto started to build confidence, Brooklyn where confidence turned into confidence, Phoenix who got his first multi-year contract, and finally returning to Memphis to finish his NBA life. There are so many memories in each land. Basketball has taken me to a really far place where I grew up in the small countryside of Kagawa Prefecture, and I've met so many encounters. I can say I did my all in America. I’m proud of myself for achieving a dream I’ve always dreamed of since I was little. I'm looking forward to starting a new basketball life in Japan where I was born and raised.

Instagram

Japanese basketball superstar Yuta Watanabe is close to joining the Chiba Jets, sources tell BasketNews. Per BasketNews sources, there is a high expectation within the league that the 6-year NBA veteran, who appeared in 213 NBA games, will play for the Jets next year.

m.basketnews.com

Memphis Grizzlies swingman Yuta Watanabe said Friday he will play in his native Japan next season. The 29-year-old revealed the plan on Instagram Live after the Grizzlies missed the playoffs in his sixth NBA season, the longest stint for a Japanese player in the world's top league.

english.kyodonews.net

"I just want to play basketball. I want to step into the game and do what I do in practice," he said. "I grinded through my 20s but now I hope to play basketball the way I like." Watanabe played just five games in his second stint with the Grizzlies after a mid-season trade in February from the Phoenix Suns. While injuries contributed to his time on the sideline, he also revealed he missed a string of games for mental health reasons. "I was finding things tough," he said.

english.kyodonews.net

Takeshi Shibata: Former Raptors shooter Yuta Watanabe via his Instagram Live just revealed his plan to go back to Japan for the 2024-25 season, ending his 6-year NBA career. Best wishes for him! To my basketball friends in North America, please send your encouragements to Yuta!

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Memphis Grizzlies PR: The @memgrizz have assigned Desmond Bane, Brandon Clarke and Yuta Watanabe to the @MemphisHustle to participate in practice. All three players will be recalled to the Grizzlies following practice.

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Memphis Grizzlies PR: .@Memphis Grizzlies status update: Yuta Watanabe (Right Wrist Sprain) is doubtful tonight at @BrooklynNets.

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Damichael Cole: Yuta Watanabe said he was sad when he first found out he was traded, but that changed when he found out he was coming back to Memphis.

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Damichael Cole: Kleiman says Yuta Watanabe and Lamar Stevens will get an opportunity with the Grizzlies this season.

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Jaren Jackson Jr. looked to his right before answering the question. "His locker's right here. That was my dog," he said. "The way he thought about the game, the effort he puts into the game, it's crazy. A lot of early mornings, a lot of late nights with him." Jackson was talking about David Roddy, the second-year forward who had been his teammate up until a few hours earlier. Roddy was traded to the Phoenix Suns as part of a three-team trade that brought forwards Yuta Watanabe and Chimezie Metu to the Grizzlies.

Memphis Commercial Appeal

Shams Charania: Reunion: Memphis is expected to acquire Yuta Watanabe from Suns as part of this three-team trade, sources said. Suns are sending out three other minimum salaries -- Keita Bates-Diop, Jordan Goodwin, Chimezie Metu -- too.

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