Chiba Jets forward Yuta Watanabe looks to score as Shimane Susanoo Magic forward James Michael McAdoo defends on December 29 at LaLa arena TOKYO-BAY. (©B.LEAGUE)
Read the full story on SportsLook - Yuta Watanabe Becoming a Vocal Leader for the Chiba Jets
Beyond the box score, Yuta Watanabe is making a big impact for the Chiba Jets and the B.League.
As a former Japanese NBA player, Watanabe is an inspiration to aspiring pro basketball players in his homeland. A longtime national team player, he's also, in the eyes of fans and the national media, a must-see attraction at basketball arenas throughout the country.
From general observations on fan chatter and media coverage, since the season began in early October, there's been a palpable buzz about Watanabe playing in Japan.
In addition, the 30-year-old forward, who suited up for the Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns in six NBA seasons (2018-24), is an emerging leader for the Jets (more on that below).
The 2024-25 B.League season is nearing its midway points and the Jets (17-9, third place in the Eastern Conference) are coping with injuries, putting perhaps an even bigger focus on Watanabe's leadership skills.
He missed nearly two full months after sustaining a sprained left ankle joint in the second game of the 2024-25 season on October 6. But his return to the lineup on November 30 gave the team a boost in the frontcourt.
Jets star John Mooney, the league's top rebounder in 2023-24, was placed on the injured list on December 6 with a bruised right heel bone. Forward DJ Hogg, who has a team-high 16.3 points per game, is out with a sprained left ankle and hasn't played since December 1.
Weekend Update: Shimane Sweeps Chiba
The Jets have struggled of late without Mooney and Hogg. They lost for the fourth time in five games on Sunday, December 29, dropping an 86-78 decision to the visiting Shimane Susanoo Magic at LaLa area TOKYO-Bay.
Chiba small forward Ren Kanechika came off the bench and scored a game-high and career-best 27 points, including 7 of 10 from 3-point range. Watanabe had 11 points, five rebounds and four assists in the series finale in nearly 28 minutes.
A Heavy Workload for Yuta Watanabe
On Saturday, December 28, Watanabe was one of four Jets players to log more than 40 minutes in their 85-81 defeat in double overtime to the Susanoo Magic, seeing 43:53 of court time.
Watanabe canned a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left in OT to make it 66-66, forcing a second bonus period. Shimane closed out the game with 19 points to Chiba's 15 in 2OT, with Seiya Ando and Nick Kay combining for 15 points in the 5-minute period for the victors.
Watanabe said the Jets were reminded of the importance of maintaining their focus after Saturday's defeat.
"At the end of the fourth quarter and at the end of the first overtime period, we lost concentration and could have lost the game as it was," Watanabe told reporters at the new arena in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture. "But we were able to catch up and take it to double overtime."
The Susanoo Magic had a 21-14 advantage in offensive rebounds and also outscored the hosts 27-9 in second-chance opportunities.
Watanabe said, "I think that if we had a higher awareness of the need to box out and grab rebounds, we would not have given up as many as we did."
Jets Coach Gleeson Shares Insights on Watanabe
Chiba head coach Trevor Gleeson is in his first season in charge of the B.League squad. His coaching career also overlapped with Watanabe's NBA career when he served as an assistant for Toronto from 2021-23. Watanabe suited up for the Raptors from 2020-22.
During Sunday's postgame news conference, this reporter asked Gleeson about Watanabe's impact as a hero to Japanese youth, as a basketball ambassador in his homeland, and as a role model/mentor for Jets teammates.
Gleeson responded by saying, "Yeah, well, I probably have an advantage because I've seen Yuta in Toronto and I coached him for a couple of years. And it's amazing just to see the fans react off the court like at the train station and he gets followed through and everyone there is taking a photo. He's like a little rock star out there and probably more so in America, he's unknown until he gets to the bigger cities."
How does Watanabe handle his fame in Japan?
"It's a part that he takes well in his stride," the Australian-born coach observed, "and takes that responsibility seriously. He's always there for a smile or a camera and it's an added burden. But he does it with grace, and it's good for these young guys to see how he conducts himself as a professional. And then he turns up the next day and he's one of the hardest workers out on the court."
Continue reading the full story on SportsLook.
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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.
