Hugh Watanabe

Watanabe attended the University of Portland and played for the Pilots. After redshirting his freshman year,[2][3][6] he made his collegiate debut on November 6, 2018, posting two points, six rebounds and a steal.[7][8] On December 8, Watanabe scored a season-high 13 points in a win over Sacramento State.[7][9] On February 28, 2019, Watanabe grabbed a season-high nine rebounds against Saint Mary's.[7][10] As a sophomore, he averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 15.4 minute per game while shooting 53.6 percent from the field.[3][11][12]

Watanabe grabbed a season-high five rebounds on November 20[13][14] and December 23, 2019.[13][15] He scored a season-high six points on December 1[13][16] and 13.[13][17] As a junior, Watanabe averaged 2.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.4 assists in 10.7 minutes per game while shooting 48.3 percent from the field.[3][18][12]

After earning a bachelor's degree in finance, Watanabe transferred to the University of California, Davis, where he enrolled in the MBA program.[6][19][20] Due to NCAA COVID-19 eligibility rules, he had two years of eligibility.[20] Watanabe, who suffered from a hand injury earlier the season,[6][21] played two games with the Aggies, including one start, averaging 3.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 20.0 minutes per game while shooting 33.3 percent from the field.[5][12][22]

Watanabe decided to forego his final year of college eligibility to play professional basketball.[20]

On June 18, 2021, Watanabe signed with the Ryukyu Golden Kings of the B.League.[20][21][23][24] On September 4, he sustained an injury on his right elbow during a practice match against the Akita Northern Happinets. Three days later, Watanabe underwent surgery after being diagnosed with a fractured radial head. He was estimated to be sidelined between four and five months and was entered in the Injury List.[25] On December 24, Watanabe was removed from the list and was cleared to participate fully in practices.[26] On January 17, 2022, CT scan results revealed the displacement of bone fragments in his right elbow. He underwent closed reduction and bone graft surgeries at Ryukyu University Hospital on January 20. On January 22, Watanabe was ruled out for the entire 2021–22 season.[27] On August 5, Watanabe went under the knife for the third time in less than a year, receiving a radial head replacement surgery for his injured elbow in Los Angeles. He was estimated to be sidelined for four to six months.[28]

On February 5, 2023, Watanabe made his professional debut against the Toyoma Grouses, scoring seven points and grabbing six rebounds in 12 minutes of play.[29] Watanabe helped the Golden Kings defeat the Chiba Jets to claim their first B.League championship title.[30][31] On June 7, the team announced they signed Watanabe for the 2023–24 season.[32]