No. 17 rings an instant bell for any sports fan in Japan and that’s because Shohei Ohtani the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar is making history wearing the number on his back! However, there’s one more Japanese athlete who’s making history wearing the same No. 17. It just so happens to be the hoopster, Yuki Kawamura.

“I only realized after I picked it, but it’s what Shohei Ohtani wears in baseball,” said the newest member of the Grizzlies of his jersey number. Realizing the weight and the pressure that comes with it now, the young guard added, “The number doesn’t have deep meaning for me personally, but I can’t embarrass myself out there now. I have to play well enough to make everyone think wearing No. 17 in America means something.”

He recently inked a two-deal with the Memphis Grizzlies making him only the fourth-ever player from the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’. The Japanese sensation is known for his flashy no-look passes on the court. Yet, he is also a deeply respectful individual, bowing to the court every time he enters a game—a gesture undoubtedly influenced by his cultural roots.

Furthermore, despite all the attention he’s been getting, he remains grounded and works hard to hone his skills, given that he is here for the long haul and eyeing a full-time contract. Let’s get to know about Yuki’s family roots, ethnicity, and beliefs as we explore the lesser-known side of the Grizzlies superstar.

What ethnicity is Yuki Kawamura? Where is the Memphis Grizzlies star from?

Born and raised in Yanai, Yamaguchi, Kawamura has been into basketball since his childhood days. He has been a star since his high school days and led Fukuoka Daiichi to back-to-back All-Japan High School Tournament titles. Furthermore, he’s been a leader of the Japanese youth setup and even became the youngest player to ever score in a Japanese B. League as well.

The Grizzlies star is of Japanese ethnicity and has idolized Yuki Togashi since growing up. He was a professional and national team player who excelled as a hooper despite being a relatively shorter player standing at 5’6. This is something Yuki relates to, as he is also the shortest player in the NBA at the moment at 5’6 and uses Togashi’s life as inspiration.

Did Yuki Kawamura play for the Japanese National Team at the Olympics?

Kawamura has been part of Japanese national teams from the youth level since he started his national team journey playing in the 2017 FIBA U16 Asian Championships. Furthermore, the Grizzlies guard made his senior debut in July 2022, where he recorded eight points and five steals against Taiwan in the 2023 World Cup qualifiers. Over the years, he has turned himself into the face of the national team from a young prodigy.

At the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, Kawamura was instrumental in leading his nation to an upset victory over Finland, scoring 15 points in the last quarter in the historic win. Most recently, everyone saw the 23-year-old play his heart out at the 2024 Paris Olympics where Japan and Kawamura saw themselves dramatically lose to France in overtime.

In this game, Kawamura made the world notice him scoring 29 points, while he added seven rebounds and six assists to his name.

Does Yuki Kawamura speak English?

The new fan favorite in the NBA, Yuki Kawamura, has not only been honing his on-court skills but also working on his English. That’s something that has been holding him back from settling into his life in America and he wants to work on it as quickly as possible.

“I learned English sometimes in school, and one year ago (I started studying) English. It is not enough, for sure. It is so hard. I can speak Japanese only. It is so tough to speak in English,” Kawamura said about the language barrier.

He further added, “I don’t speak English well, so he (advised) me to, ‘Talk, talk, talk,’ He said, ‘Talk to everyone.’ I am watching Netflix, I watch MJ I watch ‘Last Dance’ show in English and subtitles in English.”

Oh, we agree! Netflix-ing is the best way to settle in.

It won’t be long before we hear Yuki speaking fluent English, but for now, he’s having no trouble letting his game speak for itself as he continues to shine for the Grizzlies.