Yudai Baba

Yudai Baba (馬場 雄大, Baba Yūdai, born November 7, 1995) is a Japanese professional basketball player for Melbourne United of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He represented the Japanese national team at the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup in Zouk Mikael, Lebanon, where he was Japan's best free throw shooter.[1]

Yudai Baba
Baba with Alvark Tokyo in 2018
No. 18 – Melbourne United
PositionShooting guard
LeagueNBL
Personal information
Born (1995-11-07) November 7, 1995
Toyama, Toyama, Japan
NationalityJapanese
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight198 lb (90 kg)
Career information
High schoolToyama Daiichi (Toyama, Toyama)
CollegeUniversity of Tsukuba
NBA draft2017 / Undrafted
Playing career2017–present
Career history
2017–2019Alvark Tokyo
2019–2020Texas Legends
2020–presentMelbourne United
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Representing  Japan
FIBA Asia Under-16 Championship
2011 Nha Trang

High School career

Baba played at Toyama Daiichi High School where his father, Toshiharu Baba was still head coach by that time.[2]

College career

Baba played for the university men's basketball team of the University of Tsukuba and helped the team in winning the 67th[3] and the 68th All Japan Intercollegiate Basketball Championship. Baba also won best player award along with Shusuke Ikuhara.[4]

Professional career
Baba with national team

Alvark Tokyo (2017–2019)

On June 30, 2017, Baba was reported to join the Alvark Tokyo of the B.League.[5] Baba helped Alvark Tokyo win their second straight B. League title in 2018-19 after averaging 10.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game in 64 games. Baba obtained B. League Final MVP honor after producing 12 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and two steals in the final against the Chiba Jets Funabashi.[6]

Texas Legends (2019–2020)

On September 19, 2019, Baba signed with the Dallas Mavericks.[7] On October, 12, 2019, Baba was waived by the Dallas Mavericks.[8] On October 26, 2019, Baba was included in the training camp roster of the Texas Legends.[9] Baba was later included in the opening night roster of the Texas Legends.[10] When the 2019-2020 G League season was suspended, Baba averaged 6.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.0 steals per game in 19.6 minutes per game. [11]

Melbourne United (2020–present)

On July 19, 2020, Baba signed with Melbourne United of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL).[12]

Personal life

Baba's father, Toshiharu Baba, also played basketball during the 1970s and the 1980s.[13] Baba attended in School of Health and Physical Education during his time in University of Tsukuba.[14]

References
  1. Fiba Asia Cup 2017, FIBA.com, accessed 21 August 2017.
  2. Jiwani, Rory (August 31, 2019). "YUDAI BABA AIMS TO FOLLOW RUI HACHIMURA'S LEAD". olympicchannel.com. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  3. "Basketball Teams Claim Victory at All Japan Intercollegiate Basketball Championship". tsukuba.ac.jp. December 14, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  4. "Men's Basketball Team Claims Victory at All Japan Intercollegiate Basketball Championship for the Third Year in a Row". tsukuba.ac.jp. December 5, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  5. "University Senior Joins Basketball B-league Team". tsukuba.ac.jp. June 30, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
  6. "Mavericks sign Yudai Baba". Mavs.com. September 19, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  7. "Mavericks sign Yudai Baba". Mavs.com. September 19, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  8. "Mavericks waive Yudai Baba". Mavs.com. October 12, 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  9. "Legends Draft Two, Announce Training Camp Roster". NBA.com. October 26, 2019. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  10. "Legends Announce Opening Night Roster". NBA.com. November 7, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  11. "NBA G League Stats Yudai Baba".
  12. "Japanese Star Yudai Baba Signs with Melbourne". NBL.com.au. July 19, 2020. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  13. Nagatsuka, Kaz (December 2, 2018). "Yudai Baba aims for greatness under father's watch". japantimes.co.jp. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  14. "University Senior Joins Basketball B-league Team". tsukuba.ac.jp. June 30, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2017.
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