New public favorite Memphis, Yuki Kawamura will stay in Tennessee for the season, since we learn by ESPN that he obtained a “two-way contract”, after being invited to the franchise's training camp.
The beautiful story therefore continues for this pocket leader (1m73 and 72kg), who until now had never left his native Japan. At 23, he set out to conquer America where, behind Ja Morant and Marcus Smart, he would try to do well despite competition from Scotty Pippen Jr, recently signed by the Grizzlies.
Certainly, Yuki Kawamura should spend most of his time in the G-League, with the Memphis Hustle. The fact remains that, if he manages to seduce as in preseason (3.4 points and 4.2 assists in 15 minutes), the former MVP and Rookie of the Year of the Japanese championship can push Taylor Jenkins to really trust him in the lead…
For the record, note that, since the ABA/NBA merger of 1976, seven players have played in the league while being smaller than the Japanese: Muggsy Bogues, Earl Boykins, Spud Webb, Greg Grant, Keith Jennings, Markquis Nowell and finally Monte Towe.
