Shohei Otani thinks about Yuta Watanabe’s return to Japan: “He was an inspiration to me” of his generation’s success in the United States | Full-Count

He has been close friends with Yuta Watanabe, who is returning to Japan, and said, “This is the best choice for him.”

■Nationals – Dodgers (25th Japan time, Washington DC)

Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani spoke to the press on the 24th (25th Japan time) before the team’s game against the Nationals, and mentioned Yuta Watanabe, a member of the Japanese national basketball team, who announced that he will play in Japan starting next season. He said, “I respect the decision itself, and I think the best choice for the person is to choose the path that he or she is comfortable with.”

Watanabe, who was also born in 1994, has been active in the NBA for six seasons, the longest of any Japanese player. They have been friends for some time, having met before a game against the Mariners on June 7, 2019 (June 8, 2019) when they were playing for the Angels. “As a fellow Japanese player, I was also competing in the United States. We were classmates, and that inspired me as well. I think there’s a feeling of loneliness and a desire to work hard again.”

The exchange of messages is about to begin. “Not yet. I’ve heard a lot of things from the people who share it with me. I’d like to do it at a stable stage,” she said.

(Full-Count Editorial Department)