The tiny Japanese point guard who is looking for a place in the NBA with impossible passes
A tiny being among giants. That is Yuki Kawamura on a basketball court. But At 1.73 meters, the Grizzlis’ Japanese point guard manages to survive in an increasingly physical sport. In fact, it is one of the sensations of preseason in the NBA thanks to your devilish speed and his extraordinary ability to invent impossible assists. In Memphis’ 116-120 victory over the Pacers, he made seven baskets. Which one is better: on your back, without looking, into the hole…
This is how Kawamura tries to find a place in the best League in the world. He has an Exhibit 10 contract with the Grizzlieswhich is like an agreement only for the preseason, in which the squads can have up to 20 players. Before the regular season starts, that relationship can become a dual contractwhich would allow the player to alternate between the NBA and the G League. It would be a dream for him. Not to mention reaching a standard contract later.
Yuki Kawamura, left, with his partner Zach Edey; and to the left, against Victor Wembanyama in a match at the Games.
“Every day is a test. “They can cut me off at any time.”says Kawamura, who is aware of not being able to “slow down the pace at all, I have to show my teammates and the coaching staff that I can play. “I have to look hard at myself in the mirror every day and play with conviction.”
Every day is a test. They can cut me at any time
Kawamura, despite his fantasy passes and how well he seems to have fit into the locker room, is not going to have an easy time. He has participated in the four preseason friendlies with averages of 16.7 minutes, although reaching 24 in the last two games, 4.2 points with a poor 4/18 in field goals and 4.7 assists. In two most recent matches he has distributed 15. However, despite his great speed, his physique penalizes him in defense. If he gets his dream spot in the NBA, he could be, at 1.73, the shortest player in the League this season..
Protagonist in what could have been the bell of the Games
His teammate Zach Edey and Victor Wembanyama are more than half a meter taller than him, as they are both 2.24. He met the Frenchman in a match at the Paris Olympic Games. and the difference in height made the images go viral. That was the day the little point guard was introduced to the world. Japan took hosts France to overtime before losing 94-90. He had 29 points with six triples, seven rebounds and six assists..
Yuki Kawamura, in a Grizzlies preseason game.
Until now, Kawamura has played in Japan, where at 23 years old he is already a celebrity and one of the best players in the League.. Enrolled in the Yokohama B-Corsairs, which he joined in 2020, he has become rookie of the year, best assistant, MVP and, of course, he was part of the best fifth. Now The small point guard tries to make a place for himself in the NBA, a territory of colossi those he is driving crazy with his passes.
