By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Japanese point guard Yuki Kawamura is nearing his NBA dream after the Memphis Grizzlies promoted him to a two-way contract on October 20, 2024.
Initially signed to an exhibition deal worth 10 games, Kawamura’s tremendous performance during the recently concluded NBA Preseason became the deciding factor for the Memphis organization.
In all the five games of the NBA Preseason, Kawamura averaged 3.4 points and 4.2 assists, playing in nearly 16 minutes per game.
Despite a slow start in his preseason debut, Kawamura turned it up and flipped the switch in the remaining four games and showcased his all-around prowess for the Grizzlies.
Kawamura became their reliable floor general when the Grizzlies rested Ja Morant and Marcus Smart in the last three games and immediately flaunted his skill set with his on-point passing.
Already known in Japan as a premier ball handler, Kawamura showed he could play with the big boys in the NBA and pulled off his best preseason game against the Indiana Pacers.
During their matchup against the Pacers, Kawamura chalked up 10 points and seven assists, three dimes away from recording his first double-double in the NBA.
Kawamura also hosted a passing clinic in their game against the Chicago Bulls where he dimed the ball eight times while scoring a deuce and a steal.
Under the NBA’s two-way contract, Kawamura will have the chance to receive a formal deal in the NBA regular season depending on his performance in the G League.
