Yuta Watanabe Biography: Age, Wife, Net Worth, Height, NBA Teams, Parents, College, Stats

Yuta Watanabe is a Japanese basketball player who played six NBA seasons with the Grizzlies, Raptors, Nets, and Suns before returning to Japan in 2024.

Born in Miki, Kagawa, he became the first Japanese-born athlete to earn an NCAA Division I scholarship at George Washington University, where he was named 2018 Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year.

Profile

• Full Name: Yuta Watanabe
• Stage Name: Yuta Watanabe
• Born: 13, October 1994
• Age: 30 years old
• Birthplace: Miki, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan
• Nationality: Japanese
• Occupation: Professional Basketball Player
• Height: 2.06m
• Parents: Hideyuki Watanabe, and Kumi Watanabe
• Siblings: Yuki Watanabe
• Spouse: Akiko Kuji (m. 2023)
• Children: None
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $5 million

Early Life and Education

Yuta Watanabe was born on October 13, 1994, in Miki, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan.

He was raised by his parents, Hideyuki Watanabe, a former professional player for the Kumagai Gumi Bruins, and Kumi Watanabe, who played for Chanson V-Magic in the Women’s Japan Basketball League.

He grew up with his sister, Yuki Watanabe, who also pursued the sport professionally with Aisin AW Wings.

Watanabe attended Jinsei Gakuen High School in Kagawa before moving to the U.S. in 2013 for his senior year at St. Thomas More Preparatory School, where he earned NEPSAC and National Prep honors.

From 2014 to 2018, he studied at George Washington University, becoming the fourth Japanese-born NCAA Division I player and finishing second in school history for blocks (147) and games played (134).

He is of Japanese ethnicity, with no public record of religious affiliation.

Career

Yuta Watanabe launched his professional career after going undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft, signing a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies and their G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle, where his defensive instincts and scoring off the bench quickly stood out.

He made his NBA debut on October 27, 2018, against the Phoenix Suns, becoming the second Japanese player in league history after Yuta Tabuse, and posted a G League career-high 40 points on January 22, 2020, against the Delaware Blue Coats.

Early recognition came from his college success, including leading George Washington to the 2016 NIT title with 19 points and four blocks in the championship game, but his pro start emphasized versatility as a 6-9 forward, earning praise from coaches like Toronto’s Nick Nurse for his impact on team defense during limited minutes.

Watanabe’s NBA tenure peaked with the Toronto Raptors from 2020 to 2022, where he converted to a standard contract and notched a career-high 26 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers in December 2021, while averaging 4.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and strong perimeter defense over 213 games across five teams.

He joined the Brooklyn Nets in 2022, contributing to their playoff push with timely threes, then signed a two-year, $5 million deal with the Phoenix Suns in 2023, appearing in 47 games before a mid-2024 trade back to Memphis.

Internationally, he helped Japan secure bronze at the 2013 East Asia Championship and qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he scored 16 points against Germany despite a calf injury, solidifying his role as a national team leader and earning Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year in 2018 during college.

These milestones reflected his growth from a scholarship pioneer to a reliable NBA role player, blending Japanese precision with American hustle.

Watanabe’s legacy endures as a pioneer for Japanese basketball, declining a $2.65 million player option in 2024 to join the Chiba Jets in Japan’s B.League for a homecoming that prioritizes national impact and family, while his defensive IQ and shooting efficiency inspire the next generation of Asian athletes pursuing global stages.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @yutawatanabe12
• Twitter Handle: @wacchi1013

Personal Life

Yuta Watanabe married Akiko Kuji, a freelance announcer and former Fuji Television personality, in 2023 after the two first crossed paths during an interview in 2019.

Their relationship, built on mutual respect and shared values, has remained low-key and largely away from the constant glare of the spotlight, reflecting their preference for a private, grounded bond despite Watanabe’s public career.

The couple has no children as of now, and they occasionally share glimpses of their life together on social media, offering fans subtle insights into their marriage while maintaining a sense of discretion.

Net Worth

Yuta Watanabe holds an estimated net worth of $5 million.

His fortune primarily accumulates from NBA salaries totaling over $6.4 million across six seasons, including a two-year $5 million contract with the Phoenix Suns, alongside G League earnings and international bonuses from Japan’s national team appearances.