Breaking News: Jarrett Culver Ends NBA Career to Take On Japan’s B.League
In a surprising turn of events, former NBA draft pick Jarrett Culver has announced his departure from the United States to pursue a career in the Japanese B.League. After failing to secure a spot in the NBA, the 26-year-old has decided to head to the East and join the Sendai 89ers.
From Texas Tech to Japan: A Career Shift
Drafted 6th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2019 following a stellar college career at Texas Tech, Culver has had a tumultuous journey in the pros. Playing for multiple teams, including the Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies, and Atlanta Hawks, his struggles with consistency and injuries led to his eventual release from the Orlando Magic before the 2023-24 season even started.
Choosing to move to the G-League, Culver averaged 13.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game for the Osceola Magic. This promising performance, however, did not translate into another shot at the big leagues. Culver, who can play both positions 2 and 3, has struggled with shooting consistency, shooting just 28% from beyond the arc over his four-year NBA career.
A Career in Flux
The decision to leave the U.S. and seek opportunities elsewhere is not uncommon among athletes struggling to find a foothold in their home leagues. Japan’s B.League offers a high standard of competition and presents an opportunity for players like Culver to restart their careers on a fresh note. Culver will bring his experience and versatility to the Sendai 89ers, aiming to make a significant impact in the Japanese top division.
Stat Analysis: What Can We Expect from Culver?
Over the course of his NBA career, Culver has shown potential but faced challenges with regularity. Here’s a breakdown of his statistic highlights:
- Match Played (MJ): 134
- Minutes per Game (Min): 18
- Successful Shots / Attempted Shots (Shots): .401
- 3-Point Percentage (3pts): 28.3%
- Free Throws Made / Attempted (LF): 60.4%
- Offensive Rebounds (Off): 0.9 per game
- Defensive Rebounds (Def): 1.8 per game
- Total Rebounds (Tot): 2.7 per game
- Assists (): 1.3 per game
- Personal Fouls (Fte): 1.7 per game
- Interceptions (Int): 0.7 per game
- Turnovers (BP): 1.0 per game
- Points (Pts): 6.6 points per game
His averages and shooting percentages indicate areas that may well be addressed and improved upon in the B.League.
Future Implications
The move of Culver to the B.League could signal a new trend of NBA prospects looking to rebuild their careers overseas. Japan’s B.League has garnered a reputation for offering competitive play and potentially providing a pathway back to higher leagues. As international basketball competition continues to grow, we can expect to see more athlete mobility between leagues across continents.
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