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Biography
Yuki Kawamura (born May 2, 2001) is a Japanese professional basketball player. Kawamura plays for the Japan national team, with whom he played at the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Olympics.
Professional career
San-en NeoPhoenix
Born in Yanai, Yamaguchi, Kawamura idolized Yuki Togashi when growing up, as the professional and national team player excelled despite being a relatively short player, at 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in). As a high schooler, Kawamura started his career under "special designated player" status with the San-en NeoPhoenix in January 2020. While playing for the NeoPhoenix, he played for Fukuoka Daiichi High School and led them to back-to-back All-Japanese High School championships. In his first game, Kawamura became the youngest player in B.League history at only 18 years of age. He later also became the youngest player to score in a B.League game.
Yokohama B-Corsairs
During the offseason, Kawamura moved to Yokohama to join the Yokohama B-Corsairs, still under special designation. He also enrolled at Tokai University. Kawamura left university and became fully professional at the beginning of the 2022–23 season, and immediately made an impact, winning the B.League's MVP award. In addition, with the B-Corsairs, he won Rookie of the Year and was placed on the Best Five team.
Memphis Grizzlies
On July 30, 2024, Kawamura signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association.
National team career
Kawamura first represented Japan at the 2017 FIBA U16 Asian Championships. He made his senior debut in July 2022, recording 8 points and 5 steals against Taiwan in the qualifiers for the 2023 World Cup.
Kawamura represented Japan at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. There, he was instrumental in leading Akatsuki Japan to an upset victory over Finland, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter for Japan's first victory over a European team.
The following year, Japan and Kawamura played at the 2024 Olympics. In the second game they narrowly lost to France in overtime, and Kawamura scored 29 points, 7 rebound and 6 assists in the effort. He followed Kevin Durant and Luol Deng as the third player in Olympic history to have more than 25+ points, 5+ rebounds and 5+ assists in a game.
