Memphis Grizzlies Player Officially Leaves NBA For Japan

Yuta Watanabe has signed with a new team.

Feb 12, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Yuta Watanabe (18) dunks during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Yuta Watanabe spent the 2023-24 season with the Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns.

He finished the year with averages of 3.4 points and 1.6 rebounds per contest while shooting 35.3% from the field and 29.4% from the three-point range in 34 games.

Over the offseason, Watanabe declined his player option to become a free agent.

Via Ballislife.com on April 20: "Yuta Watanabe is declining his player option and leaving the NBA so he can play in Japan next season.

He was the 1st Japanese-born player to earn a D1 Men's college basketball scholarship and the 2nd Japanese-born player to play in the NBA."

Yuta Watanabe is declining his player option and leaving the NBA so he can play in Japan next season.

He was the 1st Japanese-born player to earn a D1 Men's college basketball scholarship and the 2nd Japanese-born player to play in the NBA. pic.twitter.com/Ftm65mAcAM

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) April 20, 2024

On Thursday, Watanabe officially signed with the Chiba Jets.

Watanabe shared to his X account (translated to English): "We are pleased to announce that Yuta Watanabe has signed with the Chiba Jets. His new uniform number for Chiba will be 1."

<お知らせ>
この度、渡邊雄太が千葉ジェッツと契約した事をお知らせします。千葉での新たな背番号は1になります。今後も応援よろしくお願いします。 pic.twitter.com/2Yev3N8Dy7

— Yuta Watanabe (マネージャー管理) (@wacchi1013) July 11, 2024

Watanabe played six seasons in the NBA for the Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns.

His career averages were 4.2 points and 2.3 rebounds per contest while shooting 42.6% from the field and 37.0% from the three-point range in 213 regular season games.

He has also appeared in five NBA playoff games with the Nets and Raptors.

Since Watanabe will turn 30 next season, it's very possible that his time in the NBA is over.

Mar 1, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Yuta Watanabe (18) dribbles during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

The Grizzlies finished the 2023-24 season as the 13th seed in the Western Conference with a 27-55 record.

They missed the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season.