George Washington's Yuta Watanabe made a solid impact as a freshman forward this college basketball season. As a result, this has sparked greater interest in his career in Japan among hard-core fans and casual observers — plus the national media spotlight on NHK and other major news outlets.

The 203-cm Watanabe appeared in all 35 Colonials games, earning 10 starts and averaging 22.5 minutes, 7.4 points and 3.5 assists. He made 39 3-pointers and exhibited a shooter's touch from the free-throw line (83.1 percent). The long-limbed Kagawa Prefecture native blocked 21 shots and amassed 15 steals. He was twice selected as the Atlantic 10 Conference Rookie of the Week award recipient. And he helped GW compile a 22-13 overall record and advance to the second round of the Postseason NIT.

A member of the Japan men's national team, Watanabe has his sights set on an NBA career after his collegiate days. And, of course, Japan hoop supporters have every reason to turn their attention to Colonials games for the duration of Watanabe's college career. (After all, he's part of a small fraternity of Japanese men who have played Division I ball in the United States, including Keijuro Matsui of Columbia and Taishi Ito of the University of Portland.)