Yuki Kawamura

(born 2 May 2001) is a Japanese professional basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He previously played for the Chicago Bulls and Memphis Grizzlies. Kawamura also plays for the Japan national team, with whom he played at the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Olympics. At tall, Kawamura was the shortest player during the 2025–26 NBA season.

Early life, family and high school

Kawamura was born in Yanai, Yamaguchi. His parents were very supportive of his basketball aspirations. Kawamura attended Fukuoka Daiichi High School and led its basketball team to back-to-back All-Japanese High School championships.

Professional career San-en NeoPhoenix (2020) As a high schooler, Kawamura started his career under status with the San-en NeoPhoenix in January 2020. He later also became the youngest player to score in a B.League game. 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.

Memphis Grizzlies / Hustle (2024–2025)

On 6 September 2024, Kawamura signed with the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association and on 19 October, his training camp deal was converted into a two-way contract. On 14 October 2024, Kawamura scored a career-high 10 points and passed for seven assists in a 120–116 win against the Indiana Pacers.

Chicago Bulls / Windy City Bulls (2026) Kawamura joined the Chicago Bulls for the 2025 NBA Summer League. On 19 July 2025, Kawamura signed a two-way contract with the Bulls. He was released by the Bulls during training camp on 17 October, due to a lower right leg injury he sustained, which was later revealed to be a blood clot.

On January 6, 2026, the Bulls decided to re-sign Kawamura to a two-way contract following the healing of his lower leg injury. Kawamura made his regular season debut for the Bulls on January 31, tallying six points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals in a 125–118 win against the Miami Heat. He concluded his season with a career-high 14 points against Dallas. For the season, he appeared in 18 games averaging 3.4 points, 2.6 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 11.6 minutes.

Indiana Pacers (2026)

On June 30, 2026, it was announced that Kawamura would be participating with the Indiana Pacers for the 2026 NBA Summer League.

National team career Kawamura played for the Japan men's national under-16 team at the 2017 FIBA U16 Asian Championships. In six games, Kawamura averaged 5.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists.

Kawamura made his Japan men's national basketball team debut in the 2023 World Cup qualifiers against Taiwan. In a 89–49 victory, Kawamura recorded zero points, three rebounds, eight assists and five steals. Kawamura played six more qualifier games for Japan and averaged 10.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 2.7 steals.

Kawamura represented Japan at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Kawamura was an important contributor in Japan's 98–88 upset victory over Finland, as he accumulated 25 points, nine assists, and one rebound in Japan's first victory over a European team. In all five games, Kawamura averaged 13.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 7.6 assists.

The following year, Kawamura represented Japan at the 2024 Olympics. In the second game, they narrowly lost to France 94–90 in overtime, and Kawamura scored a career-high 29 points, with seven rebounds and six assists in the effort. In three games played, Kawamura averaged 20.3 points, 7.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds.

Career statistics

NBA