He has played in for the Dallas and Utah summer-league team?s, made an appearance at the Denver training camp (almost making the Nugget?s roster), and recently, Yuta Tabuse has received an invite to attend the Suns training camp at Northern Arizona University.

"It's going to be crazy if I make the team," said Tabuse, who speaks English fluently. "It will be like Hideo Nomo making the major leagues.

Tabuse is a major celebrity in Japan, and is considered their best basketball player.  In Japan, Tabuse is similar to a rock star. In NBA-oriented publications there, cover photos of such players as Allen Iverson are edited out and replaced with those of Tabuse.

Tabuse is a past first point guard, and while he may make some fantastic assists, he also makes some fantastic turnovers.  Add to that he is listed at 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds.

Will he make the league?  Millions of ?television watching? Japanese fans are waiting patiently.  Tabuse in the league could give the NBA a big overseas boost.  One only has to look at what Ichiro and Nomo did for the MLB.