| Yuki Kawamura 河村勇輝 | |
| Alt: | colour photograph of Yuki Kawamura playing basketball |
| Position: | Point guard |
| Height Ft: | 5 |
| Height In: | 8 |
| Weight Lb: | 159 |
| League: | NBA |
| Team: | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Number: | 17 |
| Birth Date: | 2001 5, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Yanai, Yamaguchi, Japan |
| High School: | Fukuoka Daiichi (Fukuoka, Fukuoka) |
| College: | Tokai University |
| Draft Year: | 2023 |
| Career Start: | 2019 |
| Years1: | 2020 |
| Team1: | San-en NeoPhoenix |
| Years2: | 2020–2024 |
| Team2: | Yokohama B-Corsairs |
| Years3: | –present |
| Team3: | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Years4: | 2024–present |
| Team4: | →Memphis Hustle |
| Highlights: | |
(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]
Born in Yanai, Yamaguchi, Kawamura idolized Yuki Togashi when growing up, as the professional and national team player excelled despite being a relatively short player, at .[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.
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]
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]
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] He followed Kevin Durant and Luol Deng as the third player in Olympic history to have more than 25+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ assists in a game.[13]