George Washington University basketball player Yuta Watanabe will visit the White House on Tuesday, and the Kagawa Prefecture native will greet Prime Minister Shinzo Abe there, according to a news release issued this week by the university’s athletic department.
The White House Office of Public Engagement invited Watanabe, who wrapped up freshman season in March at the Postseason NIT, to take part in Abe's arrival ceremony on the White House South Lawn.
Watanabe was also invited to a State Department private luncheon that day. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry are scheduled to host the gathering. Colonials forward Kevin Larsen and George Washington coach Mike Lonergan will accompany Watanabe during the day's festivities.
The 203-cm Watanabe appeared in 35 games (10 starts) for the Colonials this season, averaging 22.5 minutes, 7.4 points and 3.5 rebounds.
