MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As of Tuesday, the Memphis Grizzlies are currently on the longest active losing streak in the NBA, but at this point in the season it’s not about winning, it’s about progression.
One player who can benefit from a down Grizzlies season is new to some, and familiar to others: Yuta Watanabe.
The Japanese international made his season debut for Memphis on Monday night, but he is no stranger to FedExForum. Watanabe signed a two-way contract with the Grizzles after going undrafted in 2018.
“Good to be back, I’m really excited. This is where my NBA career started, so yeah definitely good to be back here,” he said before Monday's game against the Pelicans.
After two seasons in Memphis, Watanabe signed a two-way contract with the Raptors in 2020 and since then he has bounced around the league playing for Brooklyn and Phoenix. On Feb. 8, the Grizzlies sent David Roddy to the Suns and part of the return package included Watanabe.
The Japanese wing says he has grown a lot of the past 6 years. He's not just older, he's a wiser NBA veteran.
“A lot of ups and downs throughout my career but I am a grown man now, playing with confidence. So I have a lot higher basketball IQ now. I’m just excited to show everything I learned for the last four, five years,” Watanabe said.
After a rough start in his debut Watanabe ended the game with 11 points on 5-of-12 field goals and two steals. He was a major part of a 29-9 Grizzlies run to cut a 25-point Pelicans lead to five before New Orleans pulled away late.
“You know, when I was on the bench my mentality was just go out there play with a lot of energy and play with fun," Watanabe said.
With the Grizzlies looking to next season and bench players getting more rotation minutes than the injured stars, expect to hear a lot of Watanabe in the final stretch of season as he hopes to further his career in the NBA.