Japan’s rising son
Kawamura caught the eyes of scouts with his World Cup performance. On 7 July, it was announced that Memphis offered him an Exhibit-10 contract, effectively an invite to preseason training camp to compete for a two-way deal, which would allow him to shuttle back and forth between the Grizzlies and their G League affiliate in 2024-25.
Japan team-mate Tominaga Keisei, the sharp-shooter out of the University of Nebraska, is on the same arrangement with the Indiana Pacers.
Before the offer was announced, Kawamura, who had made no secret of his desire to ply his trade overseas, said he would not use Paris as a personal audition to facilitate any kind of agenda.
His mission for the Games is crystal clear: help Japan reach the knockout phase any way he can.
“I think if I start playing for myself it won’t help the team. The important thing for me is to help the team achieve our goal,” said Kawamura, who as a kid watched the London 2012 gold-medal game between USA and Spain over and over and over.
“That’s the responsibility on me. If by doing that I get praise overseas, I couldn’t be happier. But first things first: I have to play for the team.”
After Germany await Victor Wembanyama and France. With all eyes on the San Antonio Spurs’ towering generational talent, Japan’s game against Les Bleus will undoubtedly be watched.
Should Kawamura & Co. – with Hachimura in the fold this time – play well, the world just really might be in for a shock. And Kawamura is fully aware that is what’s at stake.
Kawamura dropped out of university to turn pro so he would have a better of playing at the Games and now it’s about to become reality.
“I can’t wait (to play France),” he said. “They’re the hosts and everyone will be watching when we play them. If we can play our game against France with all the attention, I really think we can shock the world.
“I think we learned that If we believe in ourselves and compete, we can hold our own even against the best teams. Looking ahead to the Olympics, (the World Cup) has really motivated us and added a layer of confidence.
“The Olympics is the biggest international tournament there is. A lot of people watch it – not just basketball fans. It’s a great opportunity to show, not only our fans, but the entire world what Japanese basketball is all about.”