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[ODDS and EVENS] Yuta Watanabe Excited About a Fresh Start with Chiba Jets

Yuta Watanabe is looking forward to competing for the title-chasing Jets. "I think people have high expectations of me as a former NBA player," he said.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 30, 2024

Ed Odeven

Chiba Jets newcomer Yuta Watanabe holds up his jersey during an introductory news conference on August 27, 2024, at a Tokyo hotel. (©SANKEI)

Read the full story on SportsLook - [ODDS and EVENS] Yuta Watanabe Excited About a Fresh Start with Chiba Jets

Yuta Watanabe fulfilled a dream by playing in the NBA. He appeared in 213 games over a six-season span (2018-24). And now he's ready for a new challenge, and a fresh start, weeks shy of his 30th birthday.

A few weeks before the 2024 Paris Olympics began in late July, it became official that Watanabe had agreed to terms of a contract to play for the B.League's Chiba Jets, a perennial title-chasing club, in the 2024-25 season.

At that time, Watanabe stated that he would don a new jersey number for the Jets. He had worn either No 12 or No 18 for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns.

"I've chosen the number 1 to start a new professional basketball career in Japan," Watanabe wrote on Instagram in July. "I'm excited to start my journey in a new environment!"

On Tuesday, August 27, Watanabe attended an introductory news conference at a Tokyo hotel. He spoke enthusiastically about joining the Jets, pursuing a championship in the upcoming season, and shared other details about his decision to sign a contract with Chiba.

Adding an element of intrigue to Watanabe's move to the Jets is the relationship he already had with new Jets head coach Trevor Gleeson. When the veteran Australian basketball mentor was an assistant coach for the Raptors (2021-23), it overlapped with Watanabe's time with the team (2020-22).

Watanabe, who turns 30 on October 13, has lofty expectations for Gleeson in the B.League.

"His passion and knowledge are necessary to liven up not only the Chiba Jets but the entire Japan basketball world," Watanabe said at the news conference, according to Nikkan Sports. "I hope I can perform well under his guidance and aim to win the championship."

*Trevor Gleeson (center), the new head coach of the Chiba Jets, poses for a photo with team officials at his introductory news conference on August 23 in Yachiyo, Chiba Prefecture. (KYODO)*

Gleeson Brings Impressive Credentials to Japan

Gleeson, 56, has a track record of success that most coaches can only dream of.

From 2013-21, he patrolled the sideline as the bench boss of the Australian NBL's Perth Wildcats. Gleeson guided the club to league titles in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019 and '20.

After leaving Perth, Gleeson worked for the Raptors. Then he joined the Milwaukee Bucks as an assistant coach for the 2023-24 season.

As the 2024-25 season approaches, Gleeson is fired up about the opportunity to be a head coach once again.

"I want to build a team that aims to win the championship," Gleeson was quoted as saying by The Asahi Shimbun.

He then said, "I want to fight like it's a championship [game] in every game."

Continue reading the full story on SportsLook.

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.