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Yuki Kawamura

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Yuki Kawamura
河村勇輝
colour photograph of Yuki Kawamura playing basketball
Kawamura with Yokohama B-Corsairs in 2021
No. 17 – Memphis Grizzlies
PositionPoint guard
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (2001-05-02) 2 May 2001 (age 23)
Yanai, Yamaguchi, Japan
Listed height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Listed weight159 lb (72 kg)
Career information
High schoolFukuoka Daiichi
(Fukuoka, Fukuoka)
CollegeTokai University
NBA draft2023: undrafted
Playing career2019–present
Career history
2020San-en NeoPhoenix
2020–2024Yokohama B-Corsairs
2024–presentMemphis Grizzlies
2024–present→Memphis Hustle
Career highlights and awards
  • B.League Most Valuable Player (2023)
  • B.League Rookie of the Year (2023)
  • B.League Assist Leader (2024)
  • All-B. League First Team (2023)
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

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]

Professional career

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San-en NeoPhoenix (2020)

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Born in Yanai, Yamaguchi[citation needed], 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).[2] As a high schooler, Kawamura started his career under "special designated player" status with the San-en NeoPhoenix in January 2020. While playing for the NeoPhoenix, he played for Fukuoka Daiichi High School and led them to back-to-back All-Japanese High School championships.[3] In his first game, Kawamura became the youngest player in B.League history at only 18 years of age.[4] He later also became the youngest player to score in a B.League game.[3]

Yokohama B-Corsairs (2020–2024)

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During the offseason, Kawamura moved to Yokohama to join the Yokohama B-Corsairs, still under special designation. Enrolling at Tokai University,[5] 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.[6][7]

Memphis Grizzlies (2024–present)

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On 6 September 2024, Kawamura signed with the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association[8] and on 19 October, his training camp deal was converted into a two-way contract.[9]

National team career

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Kawamura first represented Japan at the 2017 FIBA U16 Asian Championships. He made his senior debut in July 2022, recording 8 points and 5 steals against Taiwan in the qualifiers for the 2023 World Cup.[10]

Kawamura represented Japan at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. There, he was instrumental in leading Akatsuki Japan to an upset victory over Finland, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter for Japan's first victory over a European team.[11]

The following year, Japan and Kawamura played at the 2024 Olympics. In the second game, they narrowly lost to France in overtime, and Kawamura scored 29 points, with 7 rebounds and 6 assists in the effort.[12]

References

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  1. ^ Molski • •, Max (27 June 2024). "Who is the shortest NBA player right now and of all time?". NBC New York. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  2. ^ "Yuki Kawamura: Japan's next great XS-sized guard from Yuki Togashi". FIBA.basketball. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  3. ^ a b "How is high-school star Yuki Kawamura playing in Japan's professional B.League?". FIBA.basketball. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  4. ^ Irie, Mikio (26 January 2020). "河村勇輝がB1デビュー戦で存在感を発揮。富樫勇樹はチーム掌握力に舌を巻いた". バスケットボールキング (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  5. ^ "Pro-bound Yuki Kawamura has a lofty goal on his mind with Akatsuki Five". FIBA.basketball. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  6. ^ "の表彰結果 ～横浜ビー・コルセアーズ 河村勇輝選手がB.LEAGUE史上初・MVPと新人賞をダブル受賞！～" [B.League Award Show 2022-23 results]. B.LEAGUE（Bリーグ）公式サイト (in Japanese). 2 June 2023. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  7. ^ "COLUMN: What awaits Kawamura after signing Exhibit 10 Grizzlies contract". Spin.ph. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Grizzlies sign Armando Bacot, Yuki Kawamura, Miye Oni, and Maozinha Pereira". NBA.com. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Grizzlies promote Yuki Kawamura to two-way contract". NBA.com. 19 October 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
  10. ^ "【バスケ】河村勇輝が代表デビュー「やるべきことにフォーカス」14分間で８アシスト５スチール - バスケットボール : 日刊スポーツ" [Yuki Kawamura makes national team debut]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 3 July 2022. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  11. ^ McNicol, Andrew. "Japan in tears after first ever win against European team in FIBA World Cup". CNN.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2023. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
  12. ^ "Kawamura: Meet the man who almost stunned host France". FIBA.basketball. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
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