Yuki Kawamura’s Girlfriend Revealed! Still Scoreless for the Grizzlies, Given Every Opportunity

In a surprising bit of personal news, Japanese media outlet FRIDAY recently reported that Memphis Grizzlies rookie guard Yuki Kawamura is dating popular idol trainee Mikoto Nakamori. According to sources, the two have known each other since childhood, remaining close friends throughout high school and recently even starting a semi-cohabitation arrangement. Nakamori’s charm, innocent looks, and budding talent might explain why she caught the eye of Kawamura, whose romantic preference for a “kawaii” partner mirrors that of fellow Japanese NBA player Yuta Watanabe, who is also married to a sweet-looking, girl-next-door type.

However, Kawamura’s off-court success contrasts with his early NBA career, where he’s struggled to find a rhythm. In his first four regular-season appearances, Kawamura has played a total of eight minutes, missing all four of his field goal attempts and failing to register a single point. He has recorded one assist but hasn’t yet managed to replicate his preseason performances, where he averaged 15 minutes per game and contributed 3.4 points and 4.2 assists. Currently, he’s practicing with the Grizzlies’ G-League affiliate, but he remains active on the Grizzlies’ game-day roster and is expected to be utilized in garbage-time minutes whenever possible.

The Grizzlies have been patient with Kawamura, giving him opportunities whenever the situation allows, but he hasn’t yet made a case for a consistent role. By comparison, Chinese rookie Cui Yongxi, who signed with the Brooklyn Nets, has seen even fewer chances on the court, a fact that’s frustrating for his fans. In the Nets’ recent 120-112 victory over the Bulls, Cui was again left off the active roster, as he was for their game against the Nuggets, due to an assignment with the G-League’s Long Island Nets. So far, Cui has appeared in only two regular-season games for the Nets, playing a total of three minutes, where he scored one point from the free-throw line without taking any field goal attempts.

Despite limited playing time for both Kawamura and Cui, the Nets are performing above expectations with a balanced 3-3 record, placing them fifth in the Eastern Conference and on a path toward the playoffs. Key players like Cam Thomas have had standout performances, averaging 28.2 points per game, with three games scoring over 30 points and a league-leading 11.8 points per game in the fourth quarter. Veteran guard Dennis Schroder is also thriving, averaging 22 points and 8 assists while shooting an impressive 51.7% from the field and 53.7% from beyond the arc. Even Ben Simmons, who has struggled with injuries in recent years, has shown signs of his former self, playing in five of the team’s six games and averaging 6.2 points, 6 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. The Nets' strong performance raises questions about their draft strategy, as continued success could potentially decrease their chances of landing projected 2025 first-overall pick Cooper Flagg, with fans debating if the front office might prioritize long-term success over tanking.

As a two-way player, Cui is expected to gain the bulk of his playing experience in the G-League, which kicks off its regular season on November 9. The Nets’ affiliate, the Long Island Nets, will face their season opener then, where Cui is expected to take the court, along with other top young talents like Kawamura, and Bronny James with the Lakers’ affiliate. Among this year’s rookie class, these three—Cui Yongxi, Bronny James, and Yuki Kawamura—have become fan favorites, and there’s already excitement building around their potential impact in the G-League. With these popular players on the rosters, the G-League might draw more attention than ever before, as fans eagerly follow the journeys of the next wave of international stars.

On the subject of this season’s NBA rookie class, fans are already buzzing with curiosity. The top three picks in the 2024 NBA Draft haven’t exactly made waves in their debut performances, with none of them scoring in double digits through the first stretch of the season. Fans are eager for them to step up and live up to their draft hype, hoping for stronger performances as they adjust to the NBA level.