Guard Yuki Kawamura has brought his infectious energy to the Pacers and quickly impressed players and coaches with his on-court abilities. Kawamura, earning a spot on the Pacers’ Summer League Roster, has been trying to make the most of the given opportunity and find his way back into the NBA. Only after the first 2 games the Pacers have played this summer, Kawamura has been able to bring his infectious energy to the court and win over the hearts of players, fans, and coaches.
Yuki Kawamura Is Already Impressing In Summer League For The Pacers
Kawamura, the five-foot-seven guard coming from Japan, has already spent two seasons in the NBA. After spending a season with both the Memphis Grizzlies and the Chicago Bulls, Kawamura has made a name for himself during his brief time in the spotlight. Kawamura hasn’t made a name for himself by being a star player and becoming the face of a franchise; instead, he has gained popularity through his playstyle.
Kawamura’s game has often been described as infectious or high-energy, bringing flair and flashy plays to the game whenever he steps on the court. Kawamura had a short time in both Memphis and Chicago, but he gained Kawamura fans with the little time he had with the Grizzlies and Bulls, becoming one of the most beloved players by fans.
Kawamura, in his two seasons in the NBA, has averaged 2.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game while seeing an average of 7.6 minutes per game. Only having a small sample of stats from his time in the NBA, they may not look the most impressive. However, on tape, Kawamura makes highlight-reel plays and turns heads with his creative passes.
Kawamura Is Making The Most Of His Time With The Pacers
In two games with the Pacers’ Summer League Team, Kawamura has averaged 10 points, two rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 55.6%. Coming off the bench in both games, Kawamura provides an instant jolt of energy to the lineup when he is playing. Coaches, Players, and Fans all enjoy watching Kawamura because they love the way he plays.
He plays with a relentless motor, gives 100% effort the entire time, and is ultimately a team player. Kawamura does not try to be selfish and make the moment about him; instead, he focuses on reading the court, finding open teammates, and making dazzling assists as a priority, only taking shots when he gets open. Because of this, Kawamura has become a favorite, not because he is necessarily the star of the show, but because he provides an instant boost to the lineup and is always a fun watch.
Kawamura was a player on the Pacers’ Summer League team who was flying under the radar coming into the league, and he has made a splash. Early things that have stood out in Kawamura’s performances have been his flashy passes, infectious energy, and relentless defense, despite being five-foot-seven. Kawamura has created noise surrounding his offensive scoring and passing in Las Vegas so far, but his defense has also been impressive for an undersized guard. Versus the 76ers, Kawamura helped create turnovers and even forced backcourt violations.
Yuki Kawamura full FOOTAGE vs. Philadelphia 76ers last night (100-93 in OT) – Las Vegas Summer League:
12 Points on 2/4 FG, 1/2 from 3, 4/5 FT (80.0%), 3 Rebounds, 3 Assists (2 TOV), 2 PF, and a +/- of +4 in 19:01 minutes played off the bench
Including missed shots, turnovers,… pic.twitter.com/ysrmg3CayP
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) July 12, 2026
Kawamura has caught the eye of many, including Pacers’ head coach Rick Carlisle. Carlisle, joining the ESPN broadcast during the Pacers’ game against the 76ers, said Kawamura “…just kind of explodes into the game.” Discussing his play style, Carlisle said, “He really knows how to play. He’s seeing things before they happen. He has a great sense for how to draw contact and put the defense in jail. He goes hard.” Kawamura hasn’t let his size get to him. Instead, he leverages his skills and uses them to make an impact, showcasing his high IQ and ability to make an impact on both sides of the ball, which has ended up standing out to the Pacers’ head coach, Rick Carlisle.
Kawamura plays with a lot of heart and passion, and looks like he is the hardest-working player on the court. With this, he has also caught the attention of many veteran Pacers players who have appeared in Las Vegas to watch the Summer squad. Pascal Siakam, Obi Toppin, and Jay Huff all seemed to be players who were enjoying what Kawamura was displaying during the games.
Yuki Kawamura has everyone fired up 🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/RHpH2KqLWg pic.twitter.com/RkbnelK9Rx
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) July 11, 2026
Kawamura’s Possible Future With The Pacers
Kawamura’s special ability to be a spark off the bench is extremely valuable for the Pacers’ organization. Similarly, that is what T.J. McConnell has done for the Pacers during his time with the team. McConnell, being an undersized guard like Kawamura, has come into games to inject energy into the lineup and create havoc for the opposing team on both sides of the ball with his high-energy and relentless style of play.
McConnell is aging and entering his 12th season in the NBA, so the Pacers are possibly looking for a replacement for him in their lineup. Tamin Lipsey and Braden Smith, fellow guards on the Pacers’ Summer League team, could also be possible replacements for McConnell, but Kawamura is making his case for a roster spot this upcoming season by showcasing his skills.
Kawamura’s size limits his potential in the NBA, but playing with heart, his raw talent, and infectious energy could earn him another chance in the NBA with the Pacers, and if not, possibly another team. Kawamura’s path to the NBA has been an uphill battle from the beginning, but if Kawamura makes anything clear through how he plays, it’s that he will play with 100% relentless effort the entire time, and will make the most of any opportunity he is given to hopefully make his way back to the NBA.
Featured Image: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
