The highly anticipated NBL season opened last week after months of delay due to the coronavirus pandemic.
All eyes were on the opening match on Friday between Melbourne United and Adelaide 36ers, not just in Australia but also in Japan.
The 196cm tall guard from Japan, Yudai Baba is Melbourne United’s first-ever Asian Player, signed as a Special Restricted Player for the 2020-2021 season.
The 24-year-old's last stint was the NBA’s G-League for the Texas Legends after signing in late 2019 to the Dallas Mavericks. He played 41 games for the Mavericks before the season was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He played for Alvark Tokyo in Japan’s B.League for a couple for years before moving to the US, helping his team win back to back titles. He also took out the Finals MVP honour in 2019, with a 12-point, 12-rebound performance.
But his most impressive performances came at the world stage for his country in the recent FIBA World Cup, including a standout 18-point showing against the USA.
Moving to Melbourne United
With a great relationship between the Mavericks and United, and Baba’s agent being an Australian, he was destined for Australia.
“I needed to keep playing against strong foreign players, so I am grateful for this opportunity,” he told SBS Japanese.
Coming into NBL, Baba focused on his physical strength.
“Australian players are physically very strong, especially during a one-on-one situation.”
“If I can’t keep up physically, I won’t be able to show what I have.”
Baba's NBL debut came at the end of the first quarter of the opening match on Friday.
Although it took a while for the "nervous" 24-year-old to be involved in the game, his very first NBL score in the 2nd quarter was enough to take the pressure off his shoulders. After 17 minutes of action, he scored 10 points for the team, including two slam dunks.
"Although I was more nervous than I had thought, I was able to play the game with a fresh mind, and was able to show my strength, so I really enjoyed the match."
Coach Dean Vickerman highly praised Baba at the press conference, referring to the Japanese national as “the fastest guy in the team” and the “best Asian player that has ever come to this league”.
However, Baba says he is yet to show his best in Australia and rated his performance against the 36ers at 50-60 out of 100.
"I am yet to show what I did at the NBA G League,” he said.
"I believe I am more capable, so the score (50-60points) reflects that expectation from myself."
"I wasn't involved in some play, and am still building trust with my teammates and the head coach. I believe that there is still a lot of room for improvement."
He says his ultimate goal is the NBA.
Unlike Rui Hachimura (Washington Wizards) and Yuta Watanabe (Toronto Raptors) who moved straight to the US after completing high school, Baba followed his father's advice Toshiharu Baba and moved into Tsukuba University to complete a degree in education. Toshiharu was also a national basketball player, representing Japan in the 80s and 90s and had always told Baba, that "you can't play basketball forever".
"If I can't shine on this (NBL) stage, then I have no chance," says Baba, who is absolutely determined to make a mark this season.
Yudai Baba is determined to make a mark in the NBL scene Source: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
Melbourne United's next match will be against Cairns Taipans at the Cairns Pop Up Arena on 25 January.
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