At 5 PM eastern time on Saturday October 19, all 30 NBA teams are required to have their rosters settled with the 2024-25 season just a few days away. The Memphis Grizzlies came into the day with one roster spot open โ a two-way contract slot that allows players to move back and forth between the NBA and the G-League. Players on two-way contracts can play in as many as 50 of their team’s 82 games.Former Virginia center Jay Huff and 2024 2nd round pick Cam Spencer of the two-time defending NCAA Champion UConn Huskies had already been given two of the Grizzlies three available two-way contract slots, and on Saturday afternoon, Memphis made its decision on who would get the final spot.The 23-year-old Kawamura has had an impressive preseason for the Grizzlies, posting 21 assists to just 8 turnovers in 73 minutes of action while also notching an early โAssist of the Year’ entry against the Pacers. At 5-foot-8, Kawamura becomes the shortest active player in the NBA, and one of only nine players since the NBA-ABA merger to measure in at 5’8โณ or shorter.Per ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania:
โThe 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 in preseason, leading Grizzlies with 21 total assists, and earned a roster spot.โ
