Former NBA player Yuta Watanabe has reached an agreement to sign with the Chiba Jets of the Japanese basketball's top-flight B-League, the club announced Thursday.
The 29-year-old forward recently completed his sixth season in the National Basketball Association, the longest spell of any Japanese player in the United States' elite league. His contract is for the 2024-2025 season.
"I'm starting a new professional basketball career in Japan from scratch, so I've chosen to wear No. 1," he wrote on his Instagram account. "I'm really excited to start my journey in a new environment."
He is expected to hold a press conference in August after returning from representing Japan at the Paris Olympics.
The 206-centimeter Watanabe moved to America after high school. He has played in 213 NBA games after making his debut in 2018. As a pro, he sharpened his three-point shooting and defense. Last season, he played for the Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies.
In April, Watanabe announced he would play in the B-League in the upcoming season. He was a major contributor as Japan earned its spot in the Paris Olympics at last summer's World Cup.
