Posted: Dec. 18, 2004
The Phoenix Suns activated forward/center Jackson Vroman today and in doing so, waived guard Yuta Tabuse (pronounced you-TA ta-BOO-say). The Suns roster now stands at 13 players.
Tabuse averaged 1.8 points, 1.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists in 4.3 minutes in four games this season. The 5-9, 165-pound guard made NBA history on November 3 in the season opener vs. the Hawks by becoming the first Japanese-born player to appear in an NBA game when he scored seven points in 10 minutes played. Tabuse, who missed 16 games due to a right quadriceps strain, was activated off the injured list on December 10.
“We appreciate Yuta’s contributions this season and recognize that he has a lot to offer an NBA team,” Suns President and General Manager Bryan Colangelo said. “This decision has been made in part to satisfy his need to develop and that comes with the opportunity to play consistently. This is by no means the end of the line for Yuta and we will monitor his progress closely.”
Tabuse added, “I am very grateful to the Suns and their fans for the opportunity here. I am disappointed that I will not be able to continue to be part of this team, but I have learned that I belong on this level. I am looking forward to continuing my career and building on my NBA experience.”
Vroman, a 6-10, 220-pound rookie, averaged 1.4 points and 1.6 rebounds in five games this season. He was placed on the injured list on December 7 with a left groin strain injury and missed six games.
The Suns, who are off to fastest start in franchise history and have the NBA’s best record at 20-3, host the Washington Wizards at 7 p.m. tonight at America West Arena.