kamaze wrote:Yutu looks good the lefty can shoot, dribble defend and is a passer. I hope he's not getting overlooked because he's Japanese.
I was going to post about Yuta sooner, but I was waiting for him to get some NBA workouts first. He was previously a PG in Japan and then got a growth spurt, so he also comes with guard traits as well.But like you said, his game does match the modern NBA style that can defend multiple positions including point guards and was recently named the A-10 Defensive conference player of the year. I think due to his size and multiple skillset, teams will give him a look. He's not an iso type player, but will fit into the 3&D role. What I want to see is if he gets a chance and develops with an NBA team (including in the G-League), will the NBA style actually be a better fit for him than the college game.
There has never been a Japanese or Asian player for that matter with the combination of size and skills before him on the wing (generally it was Centers), so in his case the marketing helps him. We will see what that type of attention actually brings him though (since it can be a blessing and a curse). It's still early but just like Lin, it only takes one offer so that he can try to prove he can play at the next level. I think the Mavs will definitely give him a look at least in the summer league, if no other NBA team does, since they've given many Asian players a chance before, including Lin. He's also one of the "high character" players.
There is another future Japanese (half Beninese) prospect, Rui Hachimura, who is 6'8" with a 7'0" wingspan that plays at Gonzaga.
Spoiler:
if Marks finds a player like that at 29 he needs to be given a 10 year extension