George Washington University freshman forward Yuta Watanabe made his NCAA Division I debut in the Colonials' 92-40 season-opening victory over visiting Grambling State on Friday in Washington, D.C.
The 203-cm Watanabe, a Kagawa Prefecture native, came off the bench and played 20 minutes.
Watanabe, a member of the Japan national team in recent tournaments, scored eight points on 3-for-8 shooting, including his only 3-point attempt, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked one shot. He also picked up a pair of fouls and turned the ball over once.
GWU led 47-15 at halftime, and no Colonial played more than 26 minutes.
On Sunday, Watanabe's team faces host Rutgers in Piscataway, New Jersey.