Yuta Watanabe Provided Surprising Spike in Memphis Grizzlies Jersey Sales

With thanks to Yuta Watanabe, the Memphis Grizzlies have appeared high on the list of Japan’s NBA jersey sales for the 2018-19 season.

Outside of fans of the Memphis Grizzlies, not many people recognize the name Yuta Watanabe. However, after his rookie season in the NBA, that is starting to change. His popularity is increasing around the globe.

Watanabe played on a two-way contract over the course of the entire 2018-19 season. After being cut from the Brooklyn Nets’ roster ahead of the season, the Grizzlies swiftly swooped in and added Yuta to their player development plans. Looking back over the course of the past seven months, it was a positive decision.

When Yuta Watanabe checked into his first regular season NBA game for the Memphis Grizzlies on October 27th, 2018 in a home victory over the Phoenix Suns, he became just the second Japanese-born player to accomplish this feat. The first was Yuta Tabuse, who made history for Phoenix in 2004.

Shortly after Yuta Watanabe’s arrival in Memphis, Beale Street Bears discussed the possibility of the signing being a pure publicity stunt. He proved he had potential to be a valuable contributor now — largely with the G-League’s Memphis Hustle — but also in the future as a component of the Grizzlies’ future.

Whether you believe the addition of Watanabe was solely for publicity or not, a lot of new attention has been placed on the Memphis Grizzlies because of Yuta’s presence in the 901. As the NBA continues to expand their brand and the sport across the world, Japan has even more reason to become interested in the association with Yuta Watanabe logging real NBA minutes.

You will not see the Memphis Grizzlies in the upper half of NBA merchandise sales. People — whether die-hards or casual hoops fans — tend to buy jerseys and other items with logos and names belonging to the league’s darlings of the Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and more. The large-market franchises.

Outside of Memphis, Tennessee, it is uncommon to see Memphis Grizzlies apparel. Well, unless you are in Japan, according to recent NBA jersey sales for the 2018-19 season. No, seriously.

Watanabe has true global influence, and whether it is intentional or not, the Memphis Grizzlies are benefitting from his presence. It is worth keeping him on the roster for his contributions on the court as well as off it.

More from Beale Street Bears

• Dillon Brooks speaks out after beating former Grizzlies teammate in World Cup
• Jaren Jackson Jr. puts ex-Grizzlies teammate on notice
• 3 players Grizzlies would consider trading Ja Morant for
• Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. put on blast following FIBA elimination
• Ex-Grizzlies guard signs with title favorite, joins forces with 6-time All-Star

On the court, he was a versatile and athletic swingman that held his own on both offense and defense. He has an outside touch, too. Being as the Grizzlies have been historically weak on the wings when it comes to producing points on the scoreboard, it would be wise to keep Yuta in their developmental plans.

There is no doubt that Yuta Watanabe is still a raw talent, but that is why he was placed on a two-way contract this season. Even so, he demonstrated pure confidence in a preseason victory over the Indiana Pacers by nailing a game-winning shot. This was just the beginning of a first-year journey that led to Watanabe becoming a fan favorite in Memphis, Tennessee.

Though his NBA regular season production consisted of insignificant numbers, his G-League statistics of 14.2 points on 43.6% shooting (33.1% from outside), 7.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game were beyond respectable. He was an all-around baller for the Hustle.

Honestly, it is a shame that Yuta Watanabe only appeared in 15 regular season games for the Grizzlies as an NBA rookie. Even while playing on a two-way contract, he should have logged extended minutes over additional games. Being as this was a failure on behalf of former Grizzlies head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, it may have been one of a handful of things that led to his firing.

Something to watch this offseason is how the Memphis Grizzlies operate with Yuta Watanabe’s contract. It remains to be seen if they will continue to place him on a two-way contract or if they will convert his deal into an actual roster spot with some guaranteed money attached to it. Japan is fully vested in Watanabe, and so is Memphis.