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| highlights = *Fourth Japan-born student-athlete in NCAA Division I basketball history }} is a Japanese college basketball player who plays for the George Washington Colonials. In 2014, he became the first Japan-born student-athlete to secure a NCAA Division I basketball scholarship. The decision also made him the fourth Japan-born Division I basketball player of all-time. He has also represented Japan internationally and helped the team win the bronze medal at the 2013 East Asia Basketball Championship.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.gwsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/yuta_watanabe_898135.html )〕 Before moving to the collegiate level, Watanabe attended Jinsei Gakuen High School in Zentsūji, Kagawa. He later transferred to St. Thomas More Preparatory School in Oakdale, Connecticut in 2013. Watanabe rose to fame with this high school program, and was one of their most valuable players in the National Prep School Invitational as a senior in 2014. He also gained attention from several different newspapers, including ''The New York Times''. == High school career == Watanabe attended Jinsei Gakuen High School in Kagawa. He led the basketball team to the runner-up spot of the All-Japan High School Basketball Tournament in his final two years with the program. While in Jinsei Gakuen, Watanabe said his career goal was to make it to the NCAA and ultimately join the NBA.〔 In late 2013, Watanabe traveled to the United States and attended St. Thomas More Preparatory School in Oakdale, Connecticut. At the conclusion of his sole high school season outside his native country, Watanabe averaged 13 points and 6 rebounds. He helped the team reach a 26-8 overall record and a ticket to the National Prep Championship game. On January 31, 2014, in his first appearance in the annual National Prep School Invitational, Watanabe added 12 points vs Suffield Academy. Against Canarias Basketball Academy from Spain, a 70-61 victory, he contributed 20 points and 6 rebounds.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://netscoutsbasketball.com/camps/national-prep-school-invitational/ )〕 As a result, he was named to the National Prep School Invitational All-Tournament Team and garnered prestigious New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class AAA First Team All-League honors.〔 Watanabe was also labeled "the Chosen One" by ''The Japan Times''.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Yuta Watanabe」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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