Will Yuki Kawamura Be Drafted Into the NBA This Year?
As I sip my morning coffee and scroll through the latest basketball news, one question keeps popping up in my feeds: Will Yuki Kawamura be drafted into the NBA this year? It’s fascinating how this 22-year-old Japanese point guard has become such a hot topic among international basketball circles. Having followed Asian basketball prospects for over a decade, I’ve seen plenty of talented players come and go, but Kawamura feels different. There’s a certain buzz around his name that reminds me of when Rui Hachimura was making waves before his NBA debut.
Kawamura’s journey began in Yokohama, where he first caught attention as a high school phenom. Standing at just 5'9", his height immediately raised eyebrows—and not in a good way. Let’s be honest, the NBA has historically favored taller guards, but Kawamura’s game is built on speed, court vision, and a killer three-point shot. Last season with the Yokohama B-Corsairs, he averaged 18.7 points and 6.2 assists per game, shooting an impressive 42% from beyond the arc. Those numbers might not scream "superstar" to casual fans, but for those of us who track international leagues, they’re remarkable considering his age and the level of competition in Japan’s B.League. I remember watching his game against the Chiba Jets last year where he dropped 31 points and dished out 9 assists, completely controlling the tempo against one of Japan’s best teams.
The debate about his NBA prospects really intensified after his performance in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. While Japan didn’t advance far in the tournament, Kawamura had moments of brilliance against world-class competition. His 25-point outburst against Australia had scouts tweeting about his fearlessness. But here’s where it gets complicated—the path from Asian leagues to the NBA has always been treacherous. Only 4 Japanese players have ever been on NBA rosters, with just two (Hachimura and Watanabe) finding sustained success. This brings me to something that’s been on my mind lately—the quote from that Filipino player that’s been circulating: "If ever ‘di talaga ako makakuha ng opportunity sa Europe, I’ll go back in Japan and maybe that’s my last playing year." While this wasn’t about Kawamura specifically, it highlights the reality many Asian players face: Europe often serves as the intermediate step, and Japan’s league is sometimes seen as a final destination rather than a springboard.
From my perspective, Kawamura faces three significant hurdles: his size, the perceived weakness of the Japanese league, and the current NBA roster construction trends. At his height, he’d be among the shortest players in the league—only 3 players under 5'10" have been on NBA rosters in the past five years. Still, I can’t help but feel optimistic when I watch his tape. His basketball IQ is off the charts, and he’s shown improvement in his defensive positioning despite physical limitations. I spoke with David Steele, an international scout who’s been covering Asian basketball for 15 years, and he told me, "Kawamura’s shooting mechanics are NBA-ready, and his pick-and-roll decision-making is advanced for his age. The question isn’t whether he has talent—it’s whether a team will use a precious draft pick on someone who might need developmental time."
The draft process itself works against players like Kawamura. With only 60 picks and teams increasingly favoring ready-made contributors, developmental international prospects often slip through the cracks. I’ve noticed that second-round picks have become more valuable than ever, with teams using them on either high-ceiling projects or immediate role players. Kawamura likely falls somewhere in between—not quite a project but not an immediate rotation player either. Some team executives I’ve chatted with at summer leagues compare him to a poor man’s Facundo Campazzo, which I think undersells his offensive potential but acknowledges his defensive concerns.
Personally, I believe Kawamura would benefit tremendously from at least one season in Europe before attempting the NBA jump. The Spanish ACB or German BBL would provide the physicality and pace that would prepare him better than remaining in Japan. The EuroLeague exposure alone would give him opportunities to prove himself against former NBA players and top international talent. Still, part of me hopes he gets drafted this year—it would be a fantastic story for Asian basketball and could open doors for other undersized guards from the region.
As the June draft approaches, I’m tracking mock drafts daily, and the consensus seems to be that Kawamura is a borderline second-round candidate. ESPN’s latest mock had him going undrafted, while The Athletic had him at pick 58 to the Milwaukee Bucks. These late picks are often speculative, but they can pay dividends—just look at Nikola Jokić going 41st in 2014. The difference, of course, is that Jokić had the ideal size for his position, while Kawamura is fighting against physical stereotypes.
When I step back and think about the bigger picture, the question of whether Yuki Kawamura will be drafted into the NBA this year speaks to larger issues in basketball scouting. We’re still too often caught up in measurements and athletic testing rather than focusing on basketball skills and intelligence. Kawamura might not have the vertical leap of American prospects, but he reads the game two steps ahead of most players his age. His assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.1:1 in the B.League would translate well to any level of basketball.
In the end, I’m leaning toward him not being drafted this year, though I’d love to be proven wrong. The NBA has become more international than ever, but the path remains particularly challenging for Asian players who don’t fit the physical prototype. My prediction is that he’ll land a Summer League invitation regardless, and if he shines there, we might see him on a two-way contract by next season. For now, I’ll keep refreshing my Twitter feed, hoping to see his name light up on draft night. Because players like Kawamura—skillful, determined, and breaking molds—are exactly what makes basketball endlessly fascinating to follow.