Yuta Watanabe: Memphis Grizzlies sign phenom from Japan

It might have escaped you at first glance, but the Grizzlies signed a potential phenom over the weekend. Yuta Watanabe (pronounced yoo-tah wah-tah-nah-bey) signed a two-way contract with the Grizzlies, and in doing so, might well become only the second Japanese player ever to play in an NBA game. Yuta Tabuse was the first, totaling 17 minutes in four games with the Phoenix Suns in 2004.

Watanabe is more highly regarded, though. He’s a four-year collegian who excelled at George Washington, finishing as the Atlantic 10’s Defensive Player of the Year. The Grizzlies certainly have a type, and if you finished as your conference’s defensive player of the year, you’ve got a good chance to be heading to Memphis. Watanabe joins Jaren Jackson Jr. (Big 10) and Jevon Carter (Big 12) as those so honored on the Grizzlies’ roster.

A versatile 6-foot-9 swingman who can play power forward if needed, Watanabe can create off the dribble, was a solid pick-and-roll threat and used his length to be extremely disruptive on the defensive end. In Las Vegas, Watanabe was a standout on the Brooklyn Nets’ Summer League squad, prompting Nets Summer League coach Jacque Vaughn to proclaim him the best player on the team. Watching him, Watanabe bears a little resemblance to Grizzlies front office executive Tayshaun Prince – a tall, left-handed defensive-minded player who can handle the ball.

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