Yuki Kawamura
Japanese basketball player (born 2001) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Yuki Kawamura (河村勇輝, Kawamura Yūki) (born 2 May 2001) is a Japanese professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League. He also plays for the Japan national team, with whom he played at the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Olympics. He is currently the shortest player in the NBA.[1]
Kawamura with Yokohama B-Corsairs in 2021 | |
| No. 17 – Memphis Grizzlies | |
|---|---|
| Position | Point guard |
| League | NBA |
| Personal information | |
| Born | 2 May 2001 Yanai, Yamaguchi, Japan |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Listed height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Listed weight | 159 lb (72 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Fukuoka Daiichi (Fukuoka, Fukuoka) |
| College | Tokai University |
| NBA draft | 2023: undrafted |
| Playing career | 2019–present |
| Career history | |
| 2020 | San-en NeoPhoenix |
| 2020–2024 | Yokohama B-Corsairs |
| 2024–present | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2024–present | →Memphis Hustle |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
High school career
Born in Yanai, Yamaguchi,[2] Kawamura idolized Yuki Togashi when growing up, as the professional and national team player excelled despite being a relatively short player, at 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in).[3] Kawamura played for Fukuoka Daiichi High School and led them to back-to-back All-Japanese High School championships.[4]
Professional career
San-en NeoPhoenix (2020)
As a high schooler, Kawamura started his career under "special designated player" status with the San-en NeoPhoenix in January 2020.[2] In his first game, Kawamura became the youngest player in B.League history at only 18 years of age.[5] He later also became the youngest player to score in a B.League game.[4]
Yokohama B-Corsairs (2020–2024)
During the offseason, Kawamura moved to Yokohama to join the Yokohama B-Corsairs, still under special designation. Enrolling at Tokai University,[6] he left school to go pro at the beginning of the 2022–23 season. He immediately made an impact, winning the B.League's MVP award. In addition, with the B-Corsairs, he won Rookie of the Year and made the Best Five team.[7][8]
Memphis Grizzlies (2024–present)
On 6 September 2024, Kawamura signed with the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association[9] and on 19 October, his training camp deal was converted into a two-way contract.[10] On October 14, 2024, Kawamura scored a career-high 10 points and passed for 7 assists in a 120-116 win against the Indiana Pacers.[11]
National team career
Kawamura played for the Japan men's national under-16 team at the 2017 FIBA U16 Asian Championships. In six games, Kawamura averaged 5.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.[12]
Kawamura made his Japan men's national basketball team debut in the 2023 World Cup qualifiers against Taiwan.[13] In a 89-49 victory, Kawamura recorded 0 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals.[14] Kawamura played six more qualifier games for Japan and averaged 10.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 2.7 steals.[15]
Kawamura represented Japan at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.[16] Kawamura was an important contributor in Japan's 98-88 upset victory over Finland, as he accumulated 25 points, 9 assists, and 1 rebound in Japan's first victory over a European team.[17][18] In all five games, Kawamura averaged 13.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 7.6 assists.[19]
The following year, Kawamura represented Japan at the 2024 Olympics. In the second game, they narrowly lost to France 94-90 in overtime, and Kawamura scored a career-high 29 points, with 7 rebounds and 6 assists in the effort.[20] In three games played, Kawamura averaged 20.3 points, 7.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds.[21]
References
External links
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