Yuki Kawamura became the fourth Japanese player to debut in the U.S. National Basketball Association on Friday as he came off the bench in the fourth quarter of the Memphis Grizzlies’ 128-108 loss to the Houston Rockets.
The 23-year-old point guard played 3 minutes and 34 seconds at Toyota Center in Houston as he followed in the footsteps of Yuta Tabuse with the Phoenix Suns in 2004, Yuta Watanabe with the Grizzlies in 2018 and Rui Hachimura with the Washington Wizards in 2019.
The smallest player in the league at 173 centimeters, Kawamura had an assist on his debut as his pass led to a layup from Jaylen Wells for the Grizzlies’ last points in the match with 74 seconds remaining.
“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.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Yuki Kawamura dribbles against the Houston Rockets during an NBA basketball game on Oct. 25, 2024, in Houston, Texas. (AP/Kyodo)
“I can only thank the manager and those associated with me for giving me this opportunity. I’ve finally stood on the starting line, I believe my challenge has so much more to come.”
Kawamura is the first Japanese player from the country’s B-League to play in the NBA, having made his domestic debut with San-en Neophoenix in 2020 before signing his first professional contract with Yokohama B-Corsairs in 2022.
The B-League top-tier MVP and Rookie of the Year in the 2022-23 season, Kawamura initially signed an Exhibit 10 training camp contract with the Grizzlies in September.
It was promoted to a two-way deal, which allows him to split his time between the team and its developmental G League affiliate, after he made a strong impression while playing as a reserve in all five of their preseason games.
The Yamaguchi Prefecture native was a standout both at the World Cup co-hosted by Japan last year and at this summer’s Paris Olympics, where he averaged 20.3 points and 7.7 assists.
He gained worldwide attention by scoring a game-high 29 points as Japan nearly shocked host France in a group-stage match at this year’s Paris Olympics, a 94-90 overtime loss against the eventual silver medalist.
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