Yuta Watanabe Becoming a Vocal Leader for the Chiba Jets

Beyond the box score, Yuta Watanabe is making a big impact for the Chiba Jets and the B.League.

As a former Japanese NBA player, Watanabe is an inspiration to aspiring pro basketball players in his homeland. A longtime national team player, he's also, in the eyes of fans and the national media, a must-see attraction at basketball arenas throughout the country. 

From general observations on fan chatter and media coverage, since the season began in early October, there's been a palpable buzz about Watanabe playing in Japan.

In addition, the 30-year-old forward, who suited up for the Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns in six NBA seasons (2018-24), is an emerging leader for the Jets (more on that below).

The 2024-25 B.League season is nearing its midway points and the Jets (17-9, third place in the Eastern Conference) are coping with injuries, putting perhaps an even bigger focus on Watanabe's leadership skills.

He missed nearly two full months after sustaining a sprained left ankle joint in the second game of the 2024-25 season on October 6. But his return to the lineup on November 30 gave the team a boost in the frontcourt.

Jets star John Mooney, the league's top rebounder in 2023-24, was placed on the injured list on December 6 with a bruised right heel bone. Forward DJ Hogg, who has a team-high 16.3 points per game, is out with a sprained left ankle and hasn't played since December 1.

Weekend Update: Shimane Sweeps Chiba

The Jets have struggled of late without Mooney and Hogg. They lost for the fourth time in five games on Sunday, December 29, dropping an 86-78 decision to the visiting Shimane Susanoo Magic at LaLa area TOKYO-Bay. 

Chiba small forward Ren Kanechika came off the bench and scored a game-high and career-best 27 points, including 7 of 10 from 3-point range. Watanabe had 11 points, five rebounds and four assists in the series finale in nearly 28 minutes. 

A Heavy Workload for Yuta Watanabe

On Saturday, December 28, Watanabe was one of four Jets players to log more than 40 minutes in their 85-81 defeat in double overtime to the Susanoo Magic, seeing 43:53 of court time.

Watanabe canned a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left in OT to make it 66-66, forcing a second bonus period. Shimane closed out the game with 19 points to Chiba's 15 in 2OT, with Seiya Ando and Nick Kay combining for 15 points in the 5-minute period for the victors.

Watanabe said the Jets were reminded of the importance of maintaining their focus after Saturday's defeat.

"At the end of the fourth quarter and at the end of the first overtime period, we lost concentration and could have lost the game as it was," Watanabe told reporters at the new arena in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture. "But we were able to catch up and take it to double overtime."

The Susanoo Magic had a 21-14 advantage in offensive rebounds and also outscored the hosts 27-9 in second-chance opportunities.

Watanabe said, "I think that if we had a higher awareness of the need to box out and grab rebounds, we would not have given up as many as we did."

Jets Coach Gleeson Shares Insights on Watanabe

Chiba head coach Trevor Gleeson is in his first season in charge of the B.League squad. His coaching career also overlapped with Watanabe's NBA career when he served as an assistant for Toronto from 2021-23. Watanabe suited up for the Raptors from 2020-22.

During Sunday's postgame news conference, this reporter asked Gleeson about Watanabe's impact as a hero to Japanese youth, as a basketball ambassador in his homeland, and as a role model/mentor for Jets teammates.

Gleeson responded by saying, "Yeah, well, I probably have an advantage because I've seen Yuta in Toronto and I coached him for a couple of years. And it's amazing just to see the fans react off the court like at the train station and he gets followed through and everyone there is taking a photo. He's like a little rock star out there and probably more so in America, he's unknown until he gets to the bigger cities."

How does Watanabe handle his fame in Japan?

"It's a part that he takes well in his stride," the Australian-born coach observed, "and takes that responsibility seriously. He's always there for a smile or a camera and it's an added burden. But he does it with grace, and it's good for these young guys to see how he conducts himself as a professional. And then he turns up the next day and he's one of the hardest workers out on the court."

On Players Becoming Visible to NBA Talent Evaluators

As one of the Jets' veterans, Watanabe's work ethic is an important addition to the team culture, as well as a motivational factor for the team's younger players.

"It's good to see that," said Gleeson, "and know that if you're a good player, the NBA is watching. It doesn't matter where you are playing in the world, if it's in Japan, they are watching, if it's in Australia they are watching. And [players] have opportunities that Yuta went and got that opportunity, and I'm sure there's going to be the next generation to come through too."

On Becoming a Vocal Presence in the Locker Room

As Gleeson pointed out, Watanabe leads by example in how he handles himself as a professional athlete. Communicating with his teammates is another aspect of his leadership role with the Jets.

"It's his voice in the locker room, too, it gives everyone confidence when he speaks up," Gleeson said of Watanabe.

Noting that Japanese culture tends to be more reserved than other cultures, Gleeson admitted he's encouraged Watanabe to be a bit more outspoken. 

"I'm trying to egg him on a little bit to have a voice, have an opinion and we talk about [it]. So he leads that way," the coach said.

Gleeson, a five-time Australian NBL championships-winning coach, described Watanabe as "a great locker room voice."

He added that "to be a leader you can be an inspirational leader how you work and it's been hard for him too ― he got injured and was out for eight weeks."

Since his return, Watanabe is "doing a great job," Gleeson said.

"I think he's going to have a great second half of the year."

In 13 games in a Jets uniform, Watanabe is averaging 13.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists.

Susanoo Magic Coach Henare Pleased with Team's Effort

After the second of two hard-earned victories over Chiba, Shimane bench boss Paul Henare commended his players for their composure.

"I'm just very proud of my guys for keeping their cool under pressure and being able to finish the game strong," the New Zealand-born head coach said after his team improved to 17-9 on Sunday.

Asked what was the key to victory for the Susanoo Magic after the Jets rallied from a 16-point deficit in the third quarter to tie the game early in the final quarter, Henare referenced previous games this season as being helpful.

"Probably just the experiences that we've had already this season," Henare commented. "We've been in a lot of tight games, a lot of close games at home and on the road, and in each of those experiences you learn and grow as a team. And I think as I look at my guys out there on the floor and there's a (scoring) run going against us or things are not going well, I never see, like, a sense of panic or frustration."

He then said, "And that comes through those experiences we've already had this year."

This season, the Susanoo Magic are 8-5 in games decided by less than 10 points.

Levanga-SeaHorses Game Sets B.League Attendance Record

The Levanga Hokkaido played host to the SeaHorses Mikawa on Saturday and Sunday at Es Con Field Hokkaido, home of NPB's Hokkaido Nipponham Fighters.

In the series opener, the game drew a B.League record crowd of 19,462 spectators. Mikawa triumphed 86-69.

A day later, at the same ballpark, there was an announced crowd of 15,113. The SeaHorses (18-8) won again, 75-74, extending their victory streak to four, while the Levanga (9-17) dropped their fourth straight.

Around the B.League

Jets point guard Yuki Togashi, a perennial All-Star, became the first player to reach 2,500 assists in the B.League. He achieved the feat on Sunday. 

Shinshu Brave Warriors big man Wayne Marshall became the first player in B2 history with 400 blocked shots. He made his milestone block on Sunday against the Bambitious Nara. 

RELATED:

• Yuta Okada Providing a Big Offensive Spark for the Kyoto Hannaryz
• Chiba Sweeps B.League Rival Utsunomiya in Season-Opening Series
• [ODDS and EVENS] Yuta Watanabe Excited About a Fresh Start with Chiba Jets

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.