Breaking: Memphis Grizzlies agree on a two-way contract with 5-foot-8 guard

By 5 PM Eastern Time on Saturday, October 19, all 30 NBA teams must finalize their rosters as the 2024-25 season approaches. The Memphis Grizzlies entered the day with one available roster spot — a two-way contract position that enables players to shuttle between the NBA and the G-League. Players under two-way contracts can participate in up to 50 of their team’s 82 games.

Former Virginia center Jay Huff and 2024 second-round pick Cam Spencer from the two-time defending NCAA Champion UConn Huskies had already occupied two of the Memphis Grizzlies’ three available two-way contract slots when the team announced its final decision on Saturday afternoon. According to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania: “The Memphis Grizzlies are signing Japanese guard Yuki Kawamura to a two-way NBA contract, sources tell ESPN. The 5-foot-8 Kawamura averaged 3.4 points, 4.2 assists, and 15.1 minutes during the preseason, leading the Grizzlies with a total of 21 assists, securing a roster spot.” At 23 years old, Kawamura has showcased an impressive preseason for the Grizzlies, tallying 21 assists against only 8 turnovers in 73 minutes of play, and he even recorded a highlight-worthy ‘Assist of the Year’ candidate against the Pacers. At 5-foot-8, he becomes the shortest active player in the NBA and one of just nine players to stand at 5’8″ or shorter since the NBA-ABA merger.

Chances are that if you’ve heard of Yuki Kawamura prior to this week, it was likely during the 2024 Summer Olympics. Kawamura and the Japanese National Team nearly upset Victor Wembanyama and the host nation, France, in their second group play game. He concluded the match with 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, becoming only the third player in Olympic history to achieve a 25-5-5 stat line, joining Kevin Durant and Luol Deng. However, don’t expect Kawamura to replicate those statistics in Memphis. If the Grizzlies have their way, he won’t see much playing time this season, as his signing provides crucial depth at point guard behind Ja Morant. Regardless, Kawamura’s rise has been an inspiring story to follow.