Get to know Yuki Kawamura, NBA’s shortest player
Photo from kawamurayuki_8/Instagram
Basketball is often the stage where rising stars emerge. From local courts to the bright lights of the big leagues, the sport has an ability to reveal talent, grit and charisma.
The NBA is no stranger to tales of grit and the triumph of underdogs. In the NBA scene today, one Asian athlete has been making rounds online—and he’s the shortest NBA player right now.
Yuki Kawamura, a 5-foot-8 point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, is blazing a unique trail as the shortest active player in the league.
Kawamura’s journey to the NBA and his recent debut have quickly endeared him to fans, turning his on-court moments into viral TikTok sensations and redefining what it means to stand out.
@fingeroll He is Kuroko in Real Life 👀🔥 #nba #nbaedits #basketball #foryoupage #fyp
And yes, officially, he just got his first NBA basket. In the fourth quarter of a Grizzlies game against the Washington Wizards, he nailed a slick stepback three-pointer, an exciting moment that not only lit up the court but also social media.
Footage of his impressive shot racked up hundreds of thousands of views and thousands of likes.
Who is Yuki Kawamura?
At only 23 years old, Kawamura has already carved out a place in basketball. Born in Yamaguchi, Japan, he began his journey on local courts and gained recognition in Japan’s professional basketball league while still in high school.
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His tenacity and skill have allowed him to overcome the typical physical challenges that a shorter player faces in a league dominated by towering athletes.
In fact, Kawamura now ranks as the only active NBA player under six feet and the 11th-shortest player in NBA history.
Kawamura’s debut with the Memphis Grizzlies came in the wake of a void left by NBA veteran Derrick Rose’s recent retirement.
Signed on an Exhibit 10 contract, he’s already proven his worth with sharp instincts, creative passing and love for the game.
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“I’m just getting started and there are still many challenges ahead, but I will continue working hard every day to stand on the NBA court and contribute to the team’s victories,” he wrote on Instagram while announcing that he signed a two-way contract with his current team.
“I truly appreciate your support.”
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