First Japanese-born NBA player resigns with Long Beach Jam
December 27, 2004 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Maywood Laguneros News Release
LONG BEACH, Calif. (Dec. 23, 2004) - The American Basketball Association (ABA) Long Beach Jam re-signed point guard Yuta Tabuse, it was announced.
Tabuse created history this year by signing with the NBA's Phoenix Suns, making him the first Japanese-born player to sign and play in the NBA. He began his historic season against the Atlanta Hawks, scoring a career-high seven points in only 10 minutes of play.
In 18 games with the Jam last season, Tabuse led the team with 6.3 assists per game, helping lead them to the 2004 ABA championship. Before coming to America in an effort to pursue his basketball dreams, Tabuse earned Rookie of the Year honors while playing for Toyota Alvark of the Japan Basketball League.
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
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