Last Updated on January 6, 2025 by Mathew Diekhake

Here’s detailed information about Yuta Watanabe:

Basic Information

  • Full Name: Yuta Watanabe
  • Nationality: Japanese
  • Age: Born October 13, 1994
  • Hometown: Kagawa, Japan

Physical Attributes

  • Height: 6’9″ (206 cm)
  • Weight: 215 lbs (98 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7’0″
  • Shoe Size: 12 (US)

Basketball Career

  • Number: Wears #18 with the Phoenix Suns (2023–present)
  • Position: Small Forward / Power Forward
  • High School:
    • Jinsei Gakuen High School (Kagawa, Japan)
    • St. Thomas More School (Oakdale, Connecticut, USA)
  • College: George Washington University (2014–2018)
    • Highlights:
      • Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year (2018)
      • 2× Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team (2017, 2018)
  • NBA Draft: Undrafted in 2018
  • Teams Played For:
    • Memphis Grizzlies (2018–2020)
    • Toronto Raptors (2020–2022)
    • Brooklyn Nets (2022–2023)
    • Phoenix Suns (2023–present)
  • Championship Rings: None

Personal Life

  • Kids: None
  • Siblings: Yuta has an older sister, Yuki Watanabe, who played basketball at Aoyama Gakuin University in Japan.

Family Background

  • Parents:
    • Father: Hideyuki Watanabe (former professional basketball player in Japan)
    • Mother: Kumi Kubota (former professional basketball player in Japan)

Fun Facts

  • Yuta comes from a basketball family, with both parents being former professional players in Japan.
  • Yuta Watanabe is the first Japanese-born male player to earn an NBA contract. His popularity has skyrocketed in Japan, making him a significant figure in promoting basketball in his home country.