It's a long shot, but point guard Yuta Tabuse is trying to become the first Japanese player to appear in the NBA.

Tabuse, a 5-9 point guard whom Vandeweghe has said is actually 5-6, signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract for the Nuggets on Friday worth the NBA rookie minimum of $366,931.

Tabuse, who turns 23 on Oct. 5, played at Division II BYU-Hawaii in 2000-02 and last season was named Rookie of the Year in the Super League in Japan. Tabuse played for the Dallas Mavericks in July's Rocky Mountain Revue, averaging 4.5 points in six games while shooting 5 of 8 from three-point range.

Tabuse's signing gives the Nuggets 16 players under contract. They're expected to bring the NBA maximum of 20 to training camp.