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[JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK] Yuki Kawamura Vying For a Roster Spot on the Memphis Grizzlies
As the shortest player in the NBA right now, Yuki Kawamura is instantly recognizable. His energetic play and basketball acumen have also attracted attention.
In his NBA preseason debut on Monday, October 7, Yuki Kawamura maximized his playing time.
The Japanese point guard contributed five points, nailing his lone 3-point shot from the left baseline, and three assists in nine minutes of court time, all in the fourth quarter, in the Memphis Grizzlies' 121-116 road win over the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center.
Speaking in Memphis on Thursday before the Grizzlies faced the Charlotte Hornets in their second of five preseason matches, the former B.League MVP said, "I want to keep making a good impression."
In a 119-94 defeat to the Hornets, Kawamura was held scoreless in nine minutes. He shot 0-for-4, including a pair of 3-point misses. Kawamura dished out one assist and had one turnover.
Defining how he plays, Kawamura pointed out that he refuses to be lackadaisical.
"Whether I play 40 minutes or one minute, nothing changes," Kawamura was quoted as saying by Kyodo News before the game. "Whenever I'm on the court, I play at 100 percent."
The Grizzlies open their 2024-25 season on the road on October 23 against the Utah Jazz.
Will Kawamura be among the players on their roster for opening night?
Or will the 23-year-old Yamaguchi Prefecture native be assigned to play for the franchise's NBA G League affiliate (Memphis Hustle)?
Insights on Yuki Kawamura
Kawamura's energy and flashy play, including zipping a quick pass to Jaylen Wells in the paint, grabbed the attention of Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd during Monday's game.
"He's really good," Kidd told reporters in a postgame news conference before adding, "He's good, he's 5-foot-8 (172 cm), but I love his effort and his ability to attack and play-make."
The 2018 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee then said, "He was really good tonight for Memphis. I really wish him the best of luck in his NBA career."
After an open practice for fans on October 6 at FedEx Forum, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins noted that Kawamura is "a guy that's full of energy."
The day's festivities included a rookie dance competition, which Kawamura won, a 3-point shootout and a skills competition.
"He's got a bubbling personality," Jenkins was quoted as saying by The Commercial Appeal, a Memphis newspaper. "I'm glad he was able to showcase that in front of the fans."
In the run-up to the start of the team's preseason slate of games, Grizzlies rookie Zach Edey, who is 7-foot-4, said Kawamura's fearless play grabbed his attention during a workout.
"He was just driving straight at me, like first possession," Edey said, according to The Commercial Appeal, adding, "He plays bigger than he is."
Edey continued, "He drives in the paint, he's trying to make plays, he's trying to get to the rim. [And] he's really good."
Yuki Kawamura Outlines His Goals
Kawamura was one of the B.League's up-and-coming stars during his four seasons (2020-24) with the Yokohama B-Corsairs and a key contributor for the Japan national team at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
He averaged 19.5 points and 8.4 assists (No 1 in the 24-team league) in the 2022-23 season and was named the B.League MVP. The following season he scored 20.9 points per game (No 2 in the league) and handed out a league-best 8.0 assists per contest.
During an interview with reporters during the preseason, Kawamura explained what his daily objective is on the basketball court.
"So far, so good," Kawamura said, according to The Commercial Appeal. "I'm super excited to play here. Good experience for me. I have to get better every single day. Happy to be here."
That attitude has been on display while he plays, according to Grizzlies teammate Luke Kennard.
"He's fierce, he's a competitor and he loves the game of basketball," Kennard told The Commercial Appeal. "I like what I've seen from him for sure. He's talented [and] he's going to make a lot of money playing the game."
Kawamura solidified his chances of playing for the Grizzlies at the outset of the 2024-25 season by dishing out a team-high eight assists in 24 minutes against the host Chicago Bulls on Saturday, October 12. The Grizzlies won 124-121.
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Brave Thunders' Iida Launches Initiative for Single Parents and Children for Game Tickets
Kawasaki Brave Thunders guard/forward Ryo Iida has established a program to provide seats at designated home games for single parents and their children under the age of 18.
An announcement was made on Wednesday, October 9.
The Brave Thunders, a B.League club, issued a news release publicizing the launch of the program, "Ryo Iida Seats Supported by Mitutoyo."
It was launched in cooperation with Kawasaki-based Mitutoyo Corporation and the Citizen Sports Office of the Civic and Cultural Affairs Bureau for Kawasaki City.
According to the announcement, Mitutoyo Corporation, a metrology company, supports Iida's goal so that "parents and children can enjoy watching basketball together and that parents who are working hard to raise their children can smile through the game."
A single parent, Iida, 29, wanted to give back to the city of Kawasaki in a meaningful way.
"The [program] is designed for single parents who are too busy to make time for the game or who do not have the opportunity to watch a basketball game," Iida said in the news release. "We hope that people who are too busy to make time to watch basketball or who do not have the opportunity to watch basketball will take advantage of this opportunity and become interested in not only basketball but also other sports."
He added, "We are looking forward to receiving many applications. Please join us at the venue and fight with us!"
In the 2023-24 season, Iida averaged 3.1 points in 48 games for the Brave Thunders.
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Soccer
Japan Remains Unbeaten in 3rd Round of World Cup Qualifiers
Daichi Kamada and Koki Ogawa led Japan to a 2-0 triumph over Saudi Arabia in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifier on Thursday, October 10 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Kamada's on-target shot in the 14th minute gave Japan the lead at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Ogawa made it 2-0 in the 81st minute on a header as the Samurai Blue improved to 3-0 in the third round of qualifiers.
In previous Group C matches in the third round, Japan overwhelmed China (7-0) on September 5 and Bahrain (5-0) on September 10.
After Thursday's win in Jeddah, Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu said his players' fortitude paid off.
"This stadium is a very difficult place to play in," Moriyasu said, according to Kyodo News. "The players expected it would be a hard battle and showed their toughness. They executed defensively, which laid the foundation for their attack."
Japan faces Australia in its next World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, October 15 at Saitama Stadium. Kickoff is 7:35 PM.
In Australia manager Tony Popovic's first match in charge, the Socceroos beat visiting China 3-1 on Thursday in Adelaide.
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Albirex, Grampus Win Levain Cup Semifinal 1st-Leg Matches
In the first leg of the YBC Levain Cup semifinals, Albirex Niigata beat visiting Kawasaki Frontale 4-1 on Wednesday, October 11. Kaito Taniguchi had Niigata's first goal in the 25th minute, followed by teammates Shusuke Ota, Moteki Hasegawa and Yuji Hoshi shooting the ball into the net in the 45th, 50th and 53rd minutes.
On the same day, Nagoya Grampus prevailed 3-1 over Yokohama F Marinos. Keiya Shiihashi, Kennedy Egbus Mikuni and Yuya Yamagishi scored for Grampus in the third, 14th and 76th minutes.
The semifinal second-leg matches are set for Sunday, October 13. November 2 is the date for the Levain Cup final at National Stadium in Tokyo.
Antlers Promote Chugo to Manager
Masaki Chugo, who previously served as assistant coach, was named the new manager of the J.League's Kashima Antlers, the team announced on Wednesday, October 11.
Chugo, 42, replaces Ranko Popovic, who was fired on Sunday. Departed Serbian boss Popovic was at the helm since the start of the 2024 season in February.
The Antlers have won only two of their last eight matches.
Kashima sits in fourth place in the 20-team J.League first division with 53 points (15 wins, eight draws, nine defeats).
Sanfrecce Hiroshima are in first place on 65 points (18 wins, 11 draws, four defeats).
"First of all, I would like to reaffirm the fundamentals that the club has always valued, namely, running and fighting for the team," Chugo said in a statement. "And I would like to bring everyone's awareness together to fight for the team in the same direction.
"It is the tradition and strength of the Antlers to aim for victory in any situation and demonstrate a sense of unity, so we will focus on ourselves and fight for victory in the remaining six games of the season together with our fans and supporters. Thank you for your support."
In Chugo's first match in charge after the international break, the Antlers face Avispa Fukuoka at Kashima Soccer Stadium on October 19.
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Table Tennis
Japan Women Capture Title at Asian Championships
In the women's team final at the 27th Asian Table Tennis Championships, Japan defeated reigning champion China 3-1 to claim the gold on Thursday, October 10 in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Miwa Harimoto led the way with a pair of singles victories, topping Yidi Wang (7-11, 11-6, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9) and Yingsha Sun (9-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-6).
After Harimoto's opening win over Wang, Sun topped Mima Ito 12-10, 11-6, 11-5.
Miu Hirano then beat Xingtong Chen 11-9, 10-12, 12-10, 11-4.
Harimoto, 16, who made her Olympic debut at the 2024 Paris Games, clinched the gold for Japan with the win over Sun.
Japan won the women's team title for the first time since 2021.
In addition, it was Japan's first women's title at the Asian Championships with China also participating since it won the title in 1974 in Yokohama.
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Volleyball
Rebranded SV.League Opens 2024-25 Season
Volleyball is one of the most popular spectator sports in Japan, and the professional game for men and women has entered a new era here.
The SV.League is the new name for the former pro circuit known as the V.League.
In the SV.League, there are 10 men's teams and 14 women's teams. The new name refers to both pro circuits.
What does the name SV.League stand for?
The "S" in the league name represents strong, spread (as in spreading the popularity of the sport) and society, according to the SV League's official website. "V" is for volleyball.
In related news, the Osaka Bluteon defeated the Suntory Sunbirds Osaka 25-17, 25-19, 25-21 in the opening match of the men's 2024-25 season on Friday, October 11 at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. The teams will play 44 matches in the regular season.
"This was just the first game," Bluteon player Yuji Nishida, who had 16 attack points, was quoted as saying by Kyodo News. "Now our task is to prepare thoroughly for our next one. I'm happy we were able to get the SV.League off the ground, and I think we had an exciting start."
Added the Paris Olympian, "It was the first step for the SV.League along the road toward being No 1 in the world. I think we played some quality volleyball tonight, and Suntory, too, showed a lot."
In the women's SV.League opener, the Saitama Ageo Medics defeated the NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki 26-24, 25-23, 25-22 at Todoroki Arena in Kawasaki on Saturday.
Big Ambitions for the SV.League
Before the season kicked off, Masaaki Ogawa, the SV.League chairman, spoke about the rebranded circuit's goals in an interview with Kyodo News.
"We will try to be a league that players worldwide want to join," Okawa told Kyodo News.
He then said, "We want to be the largest volleyball market and draw more spectators than any other league."
Quotes of the Week
"I'm going to pour all my energy and my heart and my soul into this organization. I just can't wait to build a championship team, because that's what this fan base deserves."
―Natalie Nakase, the newly appointed head coach of WNBA expansion team Golden State Valkyries, said at a news conference on October 10 in San Francisco. A former UCLA guard, the Japanese American became the first female head coach in the bj-league, a predecessor of the B.League, for the Saitama Broncos in 2011.
"To have a world leader in the automotive sector support and work alongside our organization, while seeking to develop and accelerate their own technical and engineering expertise ― it's simply a partnership with obvious benefits on both sides."
―Ayao Komatsu, team principal of MoneyGram Haas Formula One Team, announcing a new collaboration between Toyota Gazoo Racing and Haas on October 11. Toyota is returning to F1 after a 15-year absence as an official technical partner for Haas.
Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.