Report: Mavericks set to sign 5-foot-7 Japanese PG Yuki Togashi, develop him in D-League
Summer League sensation Yuki Togashi is coming stateside.
The Dallas Mavericks are finalizing a deal with the 5-foot-7 Japanese point guard, with an eye toward developing him in the D-League this season, according to a report from Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas. Togashi will play the remainder of the preseason with the Mavericks before joining the team's D-League affiliate, the Texas Legends.
Should he ultimately make the NBA, Togashi should become the league's shortest active player, as well as its only Japanese player. The lone Japan-born player in league history is Yuta Tabuse, who played four games with the Phoenix Suns in 2004-05. The last player to suit up at 5-foot-7 or shorter was Early Boykins in 2011-12.
The 21-year-old Togashi spent last season with the Akita Northern Happinets of the Basketball Japan League, earning the All-Star Game MVP and making the league's Best Five Team.
This summer, Togashi joined the Mavericks for Summer League, averaging four points on 46.7 percent shooting in 9.1 minutes. He's a while away developmentally, but he's an exciting player and should draw fans with the Legends.