Explosive Debut: 30 Minutes, 10 Assists! Yuki Kawamura Shines as Starting Playmaker

Yuki Kawamura has officially arrived in the G League, delivering a solid debut as the starting point guard for the Memphis Hustle. In 30 minutes of action, Kawamura recorded 7 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1 steal while committing just one turnover. His +8 plus-minus was one of the best on the team, showcasing his ability to orchestrate the offense effectively. Despite his standout performance, the Hustle fell to the Oklahoma City Blue, 121-132.

This single game marked a significant milestone for Kawamura, whose G League minutes surpassed the total time he had seen in the NBA regular season so far. His playmaking brilliance was on full display, but concerns remain about his shooting, which could hinder his path to becoming a consistent NBA contributor.

A Playmaking Clinic

Kawamura’s impact went beyond the box score, as he displayed a wide array of passing skills that brought his teammates to life.

• Quick Thinking in Transition: A perfectly-timed bounce pass led to an easy layup for a teammate.
• Highlight Reel Assists: A behind-the-back dime set up a three-pointer, and a half-court lob resulted in a thunderous alley-oop dunk.
• Scoring Flashes: Kawamura drained a three-pointer off a screen, attacked the rim for a crafty layup, and showed confidence even in difficult attempts, including a near-miss on a spinning drive to the hoop.

The 22-year-old’s natural feel for the game and ability to command an offense make him a valuable asset. It’s no surprise that the Memphis Grizzlies awarded him a two-way contract, primarily for his elite court vision and unselfish play.

Shooting Woes Persist

While Kawamura’s playmaking is undeniable, his shooting remains a glaring weakness. In this game, he shot just 3-of-12 from the field, including 1-of-6 from beyond the arc. This mirrors the struggles he faced during the preseason and in limited NBA action.

• Preseason Stats: Kawamura shot 25% from three and an abysmal 21.1% overall, averaging 3.4 points, 4.2 assists, and 1.6 turnovers in 15.2 minutes per game.
• Regular Season Stats: In eight appearances, Kawamura has averaged just 3.3 minutes per game, tallying 1 point, 0.3 rebounds, and 0.8 assists, with shooting splits of 18.2% from the field and 12.5% from three.

This shooting inefficiency will need significant improvement if Kawamura hopes to establish himself as a consistent contributor at the NBA level.

Paying Tribute to Miyagi Ryota

After the game, Kawamura addressed a question about his jersey number in the G League. While he wears #17 during the NBA regular season, Kawamura switched to #7 for his G League debut. He explained that the number honors Miyagi Ryota, the iconic point guard from the beloved Japanese basketball manga Slam Dunk.

This gesture highlights Kawamura’s deep connection to Japanese basketball culture and his role as a torchbearer for his country’s representation in the sport.

The Pride and Pressure of Representing Japan

Kawamura also spoke about the challenges of representing Japan on the NBA stage. He expressed pride in sharing this journey with fellow Japanese players Rui Hachimura and Choi Yeong-hee (崔永熙). However, he acknowledged the immense difficulty of succeeding in the NBA as an Asian player.

Kawamura’s rise coincides with turmoil surrounding Japan’s national basketball team. Hachimura recently made headlines by publicly criticizing the Japan Basketball Association (JBA) and head coach Tom Hovasse. Despite Hachimura’s opposition, the JBA extended Hovasse’s contract through 2028, a move that has fueled speculation about Hachimura’s future with the team.

If Hachimura distances himself from the national program, Kawamura may find himself shouldering the responsibility of leading Japan’s basketball aspirations.

The Road Ahead

While Kawamura adjusts to the G League, his compatriot Choi Yeong-hee remains in limbo with the Brooklyn Nets. Despite being part of the roster, Choi has yet to make his G League debut or log meaningful minutes in the NBA regular season. The Nets’ competitive standing means limited opportunities for player development, leaving Choi stuck as a bench player.

For Kawamura, the G League provides a valuable platform to showcase his skills and work on his weaknesses, particularly his shooting. His debut performance as a starting playmaker offers a glimpse of his potential, but consistent growth will be key to realizing his NBA dreams.

Fans of Japanese basketball have much to look forward to, as Kawamura continues to break barriers and inspire the next generation of players. His journey is far from over, but his debut in the G League is an encouraging step in the right direction.