The Japanese athlete who broke a glass ceiling for Asian basketball
In short: Before he was an NBA pioneer, Yuta Watanabe was labeled "the Chosen One." As the first Japanese-born student to secure an NCAA Division I scholarship, his journey from Kagawa high school to the professional ranks redefined what was possible for East Asian athletes in American sports.
Watanabe's path to the United States began at Jinsei Gakuen High School in Zentsūji, Kagawa. Having guided his squad to back-to-back second-place finishes at the All-Japan High School Basketball Tournament, he relocated to St. Thomas More Preparatory School in Oakdale, Connecticut, during 2013's final months. His impact there earned him a spot on the National Prep School Invitational All-Tournament Team plus NEPSAC Class AAA First Team accolades. By committing to George Washington University (GWU) in 2014, he became a historic first: the first Japanese-born male player to receive an NCAA Division I basketball scholarship.
At GWU, Watanabe quickly established himself as a defensive powerhouse and a versatile scorer. In 2018, he secured the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year title, becoming the initial Colonial to receive this honour. His impact on the program was profound; he helped lead the team to its first-ever postseason championship in 2016. Beyond the stats—which included ranking second in GWU history for blocked shots (147)—he served as a cultural bridge. The university's athletics website received its second-highest traffic from Japan, trailing only the United States.
Watanabe's professional career further broke barriers. Following his 2018 agreement with the Memphis Grizzlies, he became only the second Japanese athlete to compete in the NBA. His presence was so significant that the Grizzlies became the third highest merchandise seller in Japan, trailing only the Lakers and Warriors. In 2019, he made history again by becoming part of the first pair of Japanese players to share an NBA court (alongside Rui Hachimura). Whether playing for the Raptors or the Memphis Hustle, Watanabe has consistently proven that Asian athletes can compete at the highest levels of American sports.
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