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Watanabe drives Raptors’ popularity in Japan

By Vicki A. Lee

March 11, 2021
at 3:55 PM

The Toronto Raptors are now the most popular NBA team in Japan, besting the Golden State Warriors and even the LA Lakers, according to sales from its merchandise store. This first-place title can be attributed to Yuta Watanabe, the 26-year-old forward who has worked from the bench to become part of the Toronto rotation this season. His #18 Raptors jersey ranks number one on the NBA Store Japan, with Toronto Raptors’ merchandise also in the first place in the top five most popular team merch in Japan.

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Vicki A. Lee

Vicki is a staff writer, anchor, and field reporter covering Culture and Lifestyle. She is interested in literature, design, film, and social justice. Vicki is a staunch proponent of the transformative power of art — as a reflection of our common humanity and as a vehicle to effect sociopolitical reform. She lives in Toronto but often daydreams of being elsewhere, which is why she's always jogging. Read her daily updates here @vickiangelalee.