Yuta Watanabe logged 31 and 32 minutes in the first two games of the Memphis Hustle¡¯s NBA G League season.
The former George Washington University player started at small forward in Memphis¡¯ season opener on Saturday against the host Rio Grande Valley Vipers in Edinburg, Texas. Despite shooting 2 of 11 from the floor and scoring four points, it was a productive all-around effort for Watanabe. He added five rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocks in a 119-103 loss.
On Monday, the Kagawa Prefecture native was inserted into the starting lineup at power forward against the Sioux Falls Skyforce in South Dakota. Watanabe, a 206-cm player, finished with seven points (3 of 11 shooting), 10 boards, two assists, a steal and a block in a 126-125 defeat.
The 2017-18 Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year made his NBA regular-season debut on Oct. 27 with the Memphis Grizzlies. His two-way contract will give him opportunities to suit up for both clubs this season.
He¡¯s expected to receive significant playing time with the Hustle early in the season.
The Hustle return to Southaven, Tennessee, a Memphis suburb, for an extended homestand at Landers Center that begins on Friday and runs through Nov. 25, a stretch of six games.
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