NBL: Yudai Baba’s seamless transition back to Melbourne United

Yudai Baba has linked up with Aussie side Melbourne United but the Japanese international is hardly the new kid on the block.

Yudai Baba is set to play a big part in making a reality of United's dream to win back-to-back titles. Picture: Getty Images

Sit down with Jack White and (old) new teammate Yudai Baba and it’s hard to figure out who is a bigger fan of who.

“I’m probably the biggest Baba fan; I’m up there,” White says of United’s championship-winning speed machine, who has rejoined the club for the rest of the season.

“I’m a big Whitey fan too,” Baba replies.

White: “I’m a bigger Baba fan.”

Baba: “No, no.”

Tomorrow's game is gonna be the game that since end of November's one.
I'm so excited to get on the court...🔥
And so important for the playoffs.
From Japan time 3:30pm.
If you have time, please check it out!!

— Yudai Baba 馬場雄大 (@yudai_baba) April 1, 2022

It’s that positive banter which has helped the Japanese guard fit seamlessly back in with the ladder leaders, despite the fact he hasn’t played a competitive game of basketball in more than three months.

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While he impressed in eight G-League games, his US stint was cut short by Covid-19 complications and visa issues which forced him to make the decision to return to Japan.

報告です。 pic.twitter.com/B2KjRLQE6A

— Yudai Baba 馬場雄大 (@yudai_baba) December 24, 2021

United won last year’s championship on a Friday and Baba was on a plane that Sunday morning to join his Japanese teammates in their home Olympics prep.

Yudai Baba will return to the court for United against the Hawks on Saturday night. Picture: Getty Images

Random texts from his United mates ensured Baba felt valued and, when Callum Dalton went down with a season-ending knee injury, the call to arms was well received.

“A couple of coaches text me and even sometimes Whitey text me – not about coming back or anything, but keeping in touch and checking in,” Baba said.

His return comes with a money-can’t-buy familiarity with the champions’ culture and on-court strategies and adds another junkyard dog to a defence already among the best in the league.

“He’s such a great person; just fits in with our culture so well,” White said.

“He’s a great shooter of the ball, can really space the floor and he’s so quick in transition, he’s an incredible, versatile defender.

“That familiarity with the offence and the system that we run is clear to see – he’s been practising for three days and he’s right up to speed and that’s just fully a credit to him.

“He will plug gaps for us where we need, he’s a great teammate. You know he’s going to have your back and play the right way.”

Jack White counts himself among Baba’s fans. Picture: Getty Images

Inspired by Jock Landale’s move from United to the San Antonio Spurs, Baba, at 26, hasn’t given up his NBA dream.

“I always said I wanted to play in the USA,” he said.

“We have so many players who have the potential to be NBA players – even Whitey and Jo (Lual-Acuil Jr) – definitely this is my step to the NBA, I hope.”

Baba is set to return to the scene of United’s 2021 NBL title victory when he suits up against the Illawarra Hawks Saturday night at John Cain Arena.

“I’m healthy and so excited to play again with this team,” Baba said.

“Our fans, everybody, always welcomed me and when I was here last time was after the championship, so it’s brought back good memories and definitely we have a chance of one more championship this season.”