Clippers officially announce signing of Yuki Kawamura! Training camp Exhibit 10 contract signed, expected to play in preseason

On August 10, Beijing time, the Clippers officially announced that the team has signed a training camp Exhibit 10 contract with Japanese player Yuki Kawamura. Kawamura is expected to attend the Clippers' preseason training camp and play in exhibition games.

The Exhibit 10 contract is generally used for joining a team's preseason training camp and does not count toward the salary cap. Before the regular season starts, a team can convert it into a two-way contract; if he does not make the roster, he will be cut. After being waived, if he joins the Clippers' G League affiliate and stays for 60 days, he can receive a special bonus.

Yuki Kawamura stands 172 cm tall, plays as a point guard, and is the current core guard of the Japanese men's national basketball team. He showed exceptional talent from a young age, leading Fukuoka First High School to multiple national championships in high school. In 2020, he joined the Japanese B League as a high school student, becoming the first high school student to play professional basketball in Japan.

During his time with the Yokohama B-Corsairs in the B League, Kawamura experienced a career breakout. In the 2022-23 season, he averaged 19.5 points and 8.5 assists, winning the league MVP, assists leader, and Rookie of the Year awards, and was selected to the All-League Team twice, becoming the top star in Japan's domestic league. On the international stage, he scored 25 points and 7 assists in the 2023 FIBA World Cup game against Finland, leading Japan to an upset victory. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, he averaged 20.3 points and 7.7 assists, becoming the only player in the tournament to average 20+ points and 7+ assists, earning worldwide recognition.

He thrives on the court with his incredible speed,娴熟 ball handling, and excellent passing vision. He pushes the tempo, excels in pick-and-roll organization and driving to score. However, due to his height, he is often targeted on defense, which is his biggest weakness in the NBA. In 2024, Kawamura joined the Memphis Grizzlies, beginning his NBA career, and later moved to the Chicago Bulls. Over 40 regular-season games, he averaged 2.5 points and 1.7 assists. In the G League, he recorded multiple double-digit assist games, showcasing his elite playmaking ability. In the summer of 2026, he played in the Summer League for the Indiana Pacers and then signed an Exhibit 10 training camp contract with the Clippers, competing for a two-way contract or a roster spot.

As the fourth Japanese player to enter the NBA, Yuki Kawamura continuously compensates for his physical limitations through extreme discipline. Despite being at a disadvantage in height in a league of giants, he persists in pursuing his NBA dream, relying on his playmaking, speed, and basketball IQ to carve out a place while also shouldering the offensive and defensive responsibilities of the Japanese men's national team backcourt.