Yuki Kawamura stood out for the Memphis Grizzlies amongst players and fans

Yuki has become a favorite amongst the fans, and even his teammates appreciate him.

Yuki Kawamura is chasing his NBA dream by playing for the Memphis Grizzlies in Training Camp and Preseason. He has been an exciting prospect in Japan for a long time, but his willingness to work hard and his personality have made him a beloved figure in the Grizzlies locker room.

Standing at only 5'8", it is unlikely for Kawamura to have a lengthy NBA career, but he has continued to grow into his own with the Memphis roster. Yuki's positive attitude and productivity on the court might be enough to secure him a spot on the 2024/25 roster.

"He is so much fun to be around. He understands what he brings to this opportunity. The way he manages himself and the way he conducts himself around his teammates. He's endearing himself to them," Grizzlies insider Michael Wallace said on the Jessica Benson Show. "He's going in and attacking guys; he's gone inside attacking the 7'5" guy when he was not afraid of going there."

Yuki is motivated to prove himself at the NBA level

Kawamura has proven he can shine internationally, as he was a shining star for the Japanese national team. Most of the spotlight was on NBA players Yuta Watanabe and Rui Hachimura, but Yuki showcased himself as the country's point guard and resident sniper.

His performances at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics were undeniable, so the Grizzlies gambled and made him an offer for Training Camp. Now, he is proving himself at the NBA level and did a good job establishing a potential role within an NBA team.

In his first preseason performance against the Dallas Mavericks, Kawamura scored five points in nine minutes. He was doing more than scoring, as Yuki proved that even smaller players could defend at the NBA level, battling through every screen and withstanding the contact.

Yuki has the right attitude to playing in the NBA

On the first day of Grizzlies Training Camp, Kawamura wanted to make a strong impression on that team, as he fearlessly drove into the paint where 7'4" Zach Edey was waiting for him. He might have gotten blocked, or his shot altered. Still, the idea of him attacking a big man like that while standing at 5'8" proves he is a superb player.

That kind of attitude can help him make an NBA roster. The Grizzlies are the most likely team he will sign him, but this past few weeks made Yuki shine for the team and the rest of the league.

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