Coming within seconds to an upset against France in the Summer Olympics, Yuki Kawamura is ready to take the next step in his basketball journey. This summer, he orchestrated the Japanese offense, and while the team lost all three games, Yuki was amazing.
The Japanese maestro is now on an Exhibit 10 contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. It is a non-guaranteed, one-year deal on a minimum salary. If he impresses the team before the start of the new season, the team can convert it into a two-way contract, which would allow Yuki to play for the Grizzlies and its G League affiliate. Looking at his preseason games, Yuki already has a signature move and might make the team. The Yuki Kawamura Memphis Grizzlies journey continues, and it is a fun one.
Yuki Kawamura Already Has a Signature Move
Memphis Grizzlies fans are already calling Kawamura the “Japanese Steph Curry,” and looking at the passes he is dishing in preseason, it may not be an overreaction.
Kawamura has a slick passing game, and his burst of speed allows him to blow by opponents. Despite his height, only 5’8″, he manages to orchestrate the offense of his team.
During his first preseason games, Kawamura made a couple of no-look passes that impressed his teammates and fans. One of them was to fellow rookie Zach Edey.
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Can Yuki Make the Memphis Grizzlies Team?
At 23 years old, Kawamura is older than most rookies coming to the NBA. Looking at the Memphis Grizzlies roster, they have two point guards that will get minutes before him. Ja Morant and Marcus Smart will probably start if the team wants to play small or have Smart backing up Ja. The team also has Luke Kennard as a backup guard, but he is more a scorer and space-the-floor shooter than a point guard who can run the offense.
The Grizzlies have yet to define their starting lineup. With Smart and Morant as guards, and Desmond Bane as small forward, the team is a bit small. Yet, everything is still up in the air.
Yuki definitely can make the team and help them, especially given his experience. Kawamura is not a regular rookie, he already has experience playing with professionals, including at this year’s Olympics.
Speaking about his chance, Yuki said:
“Every day is a tryout. I can get cut anytime. Can’t let up at all, have to prove to my teammates and the coaching staff that I can play. I have to look at myself hard in the mirror each and every day, and play with conviction”.
During the Olympics, Yuki averaged 20 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 7.7 assists in 29 minutes of action. He shot 33% from the floor, but 40% from behind the arc. Those are numbers that would get him a contact in the NBA, but we have to wait and see.
In his last game, a win against Indiana, Yuki scored 10 points 3-7 shooting in 25 minutes of action. If he makes the team and averages something close to those numbers, the Grizzlies will be a great team.
Yuki Going Viral
Whether Yuki makes it to the NBA or not, he already had one of the best moments of the preseason. Checking in alongside fellow rookie Zach Edey, the picture went viral, showing the height difference between teammates Yuki Kawamura at 5’8” and Zach Edey at 7’4”.
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Yuki Kawamura’s journey with the Grizzlies continues until the start of the season, and we will wait and see whether he gets a contract. If he gets it, he will join Rui Hachimura as Japanese players in the NBA.
