Clareto Monsorate

The past week has been a happy one for Japanese basketball star Yuta Watanabe.

Having scored a career-high 21 points in the win against Orlando Magic on April 16, 2021, a week later his hard work was recognized when the 26-year-old received a full NBA contract with Toronto Raptors for the remainder of this season and next year.

The 2.06-metre tall guard-forward said he was super happy.

“I’m really excited. This is what I’ve been working for. I’m motivated more than ever and I’m ready to work,” Watanabe told reporters about his new deal.

Watanabe had gone undrafted coming out of George Washington in 2018 and later spent the 2018-19 and 2019-20 season with the Memphis Grizzlies on a two-way contract.

With 14 games to go this season Watanabe should certainly have plenty of time to show he deserves a spot on next year’s roster.

“My contract changed, but what I have to do won’t change,” he said. “I have to keep doing what I have been doing. Be out there, bring a lot of energy, play defence, grab rebounds, run some offence, play aggressive, stuff like that. Next year is not guaranteed yet, so I just got to keep showing what I can do.”