09-07-2025
Knicks sign high-flying Japanese guard nicknamed 'Tokyo Drift'
The New York Knicks' Summer League team will have one rather exciting, unexpected character on the roster.
Yudai Baba will suit up for the Knicks.
He's a Japanese star with two fun nicknames. One commentator in Australia nicknamed him "Tokyo Drift." And his signature move is known as the "Baba Boom."
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Baba is 29 years old, and while he has played in the NBA G League, he has never reached the NBA. He most recently has played in Japan's top division. He also played college hoops in Japan.
Baba has won the Japanese top division title twice, and he was Final MVP in 2019.
He also won an NBL title in Australia in 2021.
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In Baba's lone G League season (2019-20), he averaged 6.3 points per game.
Baba has been a consistent performer for the Japanese national team, too. His father was also a national team player in Japan.
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The Knicks probably are just testing out an overseas possibility who will have a tough time making it through. But maybe if he throws down enough "Baba Booms," he'll have a chance.
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