Add Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to the list of players impressed by Grizzlies guard Yuki Kawamura.
While Oklahoma City cruised past a shorthanded Memphis squad on Sunday, Kawamura was a major bright spot in the loss. In just 11 minutes of action, Kawamura scored a career-high 10 points (on 4-of-5 shooting), pulled down three rebounds and dished out three assists.
After the game, Gilgeous-Alexander spoke glowingly of the Grizzlies’ undrafted rookie.
“[He is a] really good basketball player,” Gilgeous-Alexander told reporters from the podium. “You can see — he had like 10 points in five minutes and like, three assists. [He is] very skilled, knows how to play basketball.”
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Gilgeous-Alexander showed his familiarity with the box score by correctly ringing off Kawamura’s stat line before giving him the ultimate compliment.
“It’s cool to see that despite the size that he can play out there. And it goes back to what I said: If you have feel, you can play. No matter what.”
“Really good basketball player… if you have feel, you can play. No matter what.”
SGA with much respect for Grizzlies guard Yuki Kawamura 💯 pic.twitter.com/T5qGJEoI9u
— NBA (@NBA) December 30, 2024
Gilgeous-Alexander’s words hold plenty of value considering his standing as one of the NBA’s most talented players and an MVP candidate. While some may write off Kawamura’s numbers in a one-sided game, Gilgeous-Alexander puts in perspective just how difficult it is to have a double-digit scoring night at the world’s highest level of basketball, let alone in 11 minutes of playing time.
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Kawamura’s performance against Oklahoma City represents the continuation of an unprecedented journey from Japan’s B.League to earning a training camp invite and a two-way contract with the Grizzlies.
At 5-8, Kawamura is the NBA’s shortest player, but that has not deterred him from making an impact on the floor, as evidenced by his performances and Gilgeous-Alexander’s impression Sunday night.
As per the terms of his two-way contract, Kawamura will split time with the Grizzlies and their G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle. After averaging 13.7 points during the G League Tip-Off Tournament, Kawamura drained seven triples en route to 23 points in the Hustle’s regular-season opener against San Diego.
The praise Kawamura is receiving and the development he has put on display are reminders that he belongs in the NBA.
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