Yuki Kawamura has officially entered the NBA record books! The talented point guard became just the fourth Japanese player to hit the court in the league, making his debut with the Memphis Grizzlies on Last Friday night.
“I decided on moving to the United States with the aim of standing on the NBA court, so the moment the dream came true was special,” Kawamura said after the game.
Despite a 128-108 loss to the Houston Rockets, the 23-year-old made the most of his time on the court. In just under four minutes of play, Kawamura recorded his first NBA assist, setting up Jaylen Wells for a layup late in the fourth quarter.
Standing at just 5’7″, Kawamura is the shortest player in the league. But what he lacks in size, he more than makes up for in skill and determination. He first caught the Grizzlies’ attention with his outstanding performances at the Paris Olympics and continued to impress during preseason games.
“I don’t change, wherever I’m playing,” Kawamura said. “Being able to play is not something to be taken for granted. I pledged to give my all each time I enter the court.”
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His NBA debut was met with excitement not just in Memphis, but also in Japan.
“The fourth Japanese player in the NBA is born,” NBA Japan announced on X (formerly Twitter).
Even his teammates were impressed. Grizzlies star Ja Morant shared a special moment with Kawamura after the game.
“It was a special moment,” Kawamura said. “Ja is my great friend. He is my guy.”
Kawamura’s achievement is a significant milestone for Japanese basketball, and he’s eager to inspire the next generation of players.
“I want to give performances that make small children, not just in Japan, but around the world, aspire to play in the NBA,” Kawamura said.
With his talent and drive, there’s no doubt that Yuki Kawamura is a name we’ll be hearing a lot more of in the future.
Feature Image: Instagram
