On May 7, Beijing time, Yuta Watanabe, an Asian player of the Toronto Raptors who has finished this season's NBA game, was interviewed by the Japanese media.
This summer, he will be a free agent. But the Japanese defender said he would try to stay here as hard as he could. Moreover, Yuta Watanabe believes that she entered the NBA and North American leagues too late. If you play here since you were a child, it is easier to succeed. The juniors of the Japanese team are likely to follow his example and play in the NBA in the future.
On the CBA side, at the end of this season, only a few players such as Zhang Zhenlin want to challenge in the NBA.
There are quite a few players who currently play in the NBA, but apart from Yamura, the rest are fringe people.
Yuta Watanabe played for The George Washington Basketball Team at North American University before joining the Memphis Grizzlies. This season, he played for the Toronto Raptors. Regular season performance was: 11.7 minutes, 4.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.6 rebounds per game.
Despite the average numbers, Yuta Watanabe, who ended her contract, wanted to find another job in the NBA. Just like when he went to multiple teams to try out after losing the NBA draft.
With Yuta Watanabe's ability, if he returns to the Japanese league, he must be the object of contention between multiple teams. In addition, he may also get a decent advertising income. But none of this is what he is after.
Yuta Watanabe told reporters: If you had played in North America since childhood, it is likely that your experience would be completely different. This summer, I have to work harder. Due to the Olympic Games, after the start of the NBA last year, his state has suffered a certain impact. But not this year.
Yuta Watanabe also thanked the NBA Japan Tournament, believing that it would make more children like basketball.
He also said that he is currently staying in the NBA to let more young Japanese players take the NBA as their goal. Over time, the Japanese team will also benefit.
In addition, Yuta Watanabe also admitted that Japanese players are difficult in the NBA, but these players can play a positive role on the court. And this enthusiasm is not just a basketball game.
Yuta Watanabe's personal ability is not outstanding. But his efforts allowed the NBA to see his sincerity. The NBA, which needs the Asian market, also needs Japanese players. The more Japanese children watch NBA games, the better Japanese basketball can improve.
At present, the NBA has no Chinese players. Zhou Qi, the last to play in the NBA, barely played.
After the CBA league ends, only Yu Jiahao, Zhang Zhenlin and Zeng Fanbo are currently training in the United States, and some of them will launch an attack on the NBA.
While there is little hope that all of these players will stay, if the CBA perseveres in sending talent out, there will always be someone who can gain a foothold in the NBA or Europa League.
Once there are more Chinese players playing in the NBA, more players will step out of their comfort zone and have the courage to accept challenges.
Many years ago, the Japanese football team also went to Europe in this way. With the step-by-step efforts of the predecessors, it was finally accepted by the European League, which led to a large number of Japanese players in Europe.
Not only the CBA, but many domestic leagues, are still in the comfort zone. If they don't jump out, they will have very limited room to improve. And once it can't progress, it means that this project, the status of the Chinese team in Asia will decline.
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