The Toronto Raptors said Sunday that they have signed Yuta Watanabe to a two-way contract that will allow him to continue playing both in the NBA and in the G League.
The 26-year-old Japanese striker may play his third season in the NBA after spending two seasons moving between the Memphis Grizzlies and Memphis Hustle on a two-way deal.
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Watanabe, who came in 2018 the second Japanese player to play in the NBA and first from Yuta Tabuse in 2004, averaged 17.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 32.7 minutes in 22 games with the Hustle last season . He made 18 appearances for the Grizzlies but played strenuously.
He averaged 4.7 points and 3.7 rebounds over three preseason games for the Toronto-based Raptors, who won their first title in 2019 to become the first Canadian team to be crowned as NBA champions.
The Raptors postpone their 2020-2021 season Wednesday when they host the New Orleans Pelicans at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, the team’s temporary home amid coronary virus infection.