MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Grizzlies swingman Yuta Watanabe is calling it a NBA career. The sixth year forward announced his retirement from the league on his Instagram Live Friday night.
Watanabe, 29, is not hanging up his sneakers though. The Japanese national will return to his home country to continue his professional playing days. Watanabe missed the last 20 games of the season to injury and personal reasons.
Watanabe spent six seasons in the NBA playing for the Memphis Grizzlies (twice), Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets, and Phoenix Suns. He was the second Japanese born player to play in the NBA and was a standout at George Washington University in his college days.
Watanabe averaged 4.2 points and 2.3 rebounds in his NBA career. He was also a 37% career three-point shooter.