In a recent pre-season match, Yuki Kawamura made a significant impression by recording an impressive eight assists, leading the Memphis Grizzlies to a narrow victory over the Chicago Bulls, 124-121. With a keen eye for playmaking, the Japanese guard has garnered attention as he aims to secure a spot on the Grizzlies’ opening night roster.
Despite standing at just 5 feet 8 inches, Kawamura compensates with remarkable speed, managing to carve out a niche in Japanese professional basketball. He notably shined during the recent Paris Olympics, where he nearly led Japan to an upset victory over the host team, France. In September, he signed an “Exhibit 10” contract with the Grizzlies, marking a significant step in his quest to fulfill his dream of playing in the NBA.
With superstar guard Ja Morant sidelined due to injury, Kawamura took advantage of the opportunity to showcase his talent. Coming off the bench, he logged nearly 24 minutes of play against the Bulls. Although he only scored two points through free throws and missed all five of his three-point attempts, his eight assists were crucial in orchestrating the Grizzlies’ offense and ultimately securing the win.
Interestingly, as the first quarter drew to a close, Kawamura displayed great chemistry with fellow Grizzlies rookie Zach Edey, who stands over 7 feet tall. In a standout moment, Kawamura executed a no-look pass that led to an easy dunk for Edey. Their unique height difference has been dubbed “the cutest height gap” and was featured in NBA highlight reels, amassing over 500,000 views.
