# @nextshark on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/C6HyWgUvWPY
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/16593699-nextshark-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/dd4273b891.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-04-23T23:01:00.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** NextShark (@nextshark) — https://gondola.cc/nextshark

## Caption

After spending 6 seasons in the NBA, Yuta Watanabe has announced that he is leaving the NBA to play in the Japanese B.League next season.⁠
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On April 19, Watanabe went on Instagram Live to announce his decision, citing mental health and a desire for consistent playing time, something that did not happen in his last NBA season.⁠
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“I just want to play basketball. I want to step into the game and do what I do in practice,” he said in Japanese. “I grinded through my 20s but now I hope to play basketball the way I like.”⁠
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As a key player for Japan’s national team, he is expected to be a major draw for the B.League.⁠
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🏀Learn more about the announcement in the full article on our website in our linkinbio ⁠
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#NBA #BLeague #basketball #sports #yutawatanabe

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 3,999
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- **Comments:** 55

## Tags

bleague, nba, sports, basketball, yutawatanabe

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