Profile

Born in Mikichō, Kagawa Prefecture, on October 13, 1994.
Height / Weight: 206cm / 92kg
Highest vertical jump: 354cm
Position: shooting guard / small forward
Education: Jinsei Gakuen High School → St. Thomas More School → George Washington University

Selected Highlights and Awards
2011 – First high school student in history to join the Japanese national basketball team. Runner-up in the All-Japan High School Basketball Tournament (recognized as one of the 5 Best Players in the Men’s category).
2012 – 4th place in the FIBA U18 Asian Championship. Runner-up in the All-Japan High School Basketball Tournament (recognized as one of the 5 Best Players in the Men’s category for 2 consecutive years).
2013 – 3rd place in the East Asia Basketball Championship. 9th place in the FIBA Asia Cup.
2014 – Runner-up in the National Prep School Invitational (recognized as one of the 5 Best Players from New England).
2016 – Winner of the National Invitational Tournament
2017 – Named to the Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team
2018 – Named Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year. After participating in the NBA Summer League (playing for the Brooklyn Nets), Watanabe signed a contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, and became the second Japanese player to play in the NBA when he made his debut on October 27th, 2018, against the Phoenix Suns.
2020 – Toronto Raptors
2022 – Brooklyn Nets
2023 – Phoenix Suns
2024 – February, Memphis Grizzlies / July, B.LEAGUE Chiba Jets