Native of Japan played at University of Portland last season
LARAMIE, Wyo. (May 8, 2024) – Wyoming Cowboy head men’s basketball coach Jeff Linder announced the addition of forward Yuto Yamanouchi-Williams (YOO-toh YAH-muh-NOO-chee) to the 2024-25 roster on Wednesday. He will have two-years of eligibility at Wyoming after spending last season at Portland.
A 6-10, 230-pound forward, Yamanouchi-Williams is a native of Aizuwakamatsu, Japan. Last season, Yamanouchi-Williams appeared in 12 games with 11 starts all coming in West Coast Conference play. He averaged 8.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. He averaged nearly one block per game and shot 36 percent from behind the arc. He scored a season-high 17 points against Santa Clara and had a season-high 10 rebounds against Pacific.
Yamanouchi-Williams spent his freshman season at Lamar. He averaged 6.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. He added five double-doubles and nearly averaged one blocked shot per game. He started 24 games as a true freshman.
He represented Japan at the U19 level in 2021-22 FIBA World Cup in Latvia. In high school, he helped lead Ribet Academy to back-to-back state title games in California.
Linder on Yamanouchi-Williams
“We’re excited to welcome Yuto to the Cowboy family. He brings great front-court versatility to the table. His combination of size, length and skill will provide options up front. He has a great nose for the ball and consistently rebounds at a high level. His capacity to move and switch-ability gives us exceptional flexibility on the defensive end of the floor. Yuto’s best basketball is in front of him, and we can’t wait to be a part of his continued development.”
UW Press Release