Yuki Kawamura: 5’7″ NBA Journey After Blood Clot

Every NBA season brings a few stories that feel almost impossible—but Yuki Kawamura’s might be the most improbable. Standing at just 5’7″ and coming off a blood clot diagnosis that sidelined him for months, the Japanese point guard has already suited up for three different teams in two seasons.

Height: 5’7″ (1.70 m) ·
Weight: 159 lb (72 kg) ·
2024-25 PPG: 2.5 ·
2024-25 APG: 1.7 ·
2024-25 RPG: 1.1 ·
Current Team: Indiana Pacers

Eight key facts about the Japanese point guard.

Is Yuki Kawamura the shortest NBA player?

How tall is Yuki Kawamura?

• ESPN lists Kawamura at 5’7″ and 159 lbs.
• NBA.com’s player profile shows 5’8″ and 159 lbs.
• The NBA G League also lists him at 5-7.
• RealGM confirms 5’7″ (170 cm).

Multiple official and editorial sources agree on 5’7″, though NBA.com uses 5’8″. The discrepancy is common for players listed in shoes vs. barefoot. Kawamura is widely recognized as the shortest active NBA player.

Who are other short NBA players?

• Isaiah Thomas (5’9″) was the previous shortest All-Star.
• Muggsy Bogues (5’3″) remains the shortest NBA player ever.
• Earl Boykins (5’5″) played 13 seasons.
• For comparison, guard LaMelo Ball: Height, Baby, Surgery, Net Worth & More measures 6’7″.

At 5’7″, Kawamura is tied with several past players for the third-shortest in league history. The implication: his size makes his NBA presence a genuine anomaly, but his playmaking has kept him on rosters.

The implication: height alone does not determine NBA success, as Kawamura’s playmaking proves.

What is Yuki Kawamura’s medical condition?

What caused the blood clot?

In November 2024, during his rookie season with the Memphis Grizzlies, Kawamura was diagnosed with a blood clot in his lower right leg. The Chicago Tribune reported the clot sidelined him after a 12-week recuperation period. Billy Donovan, then his coach with the Bulls, confirmed the nature of the injury. The cause hasn’t been publicly detailed, but blood clots in athletes often stem from travel, dehydration, or underlying conditions.

How did the blood clot affect his career?

• He was waived by the Grizzlies during training camp in October 2024 due to the injury, later revealed to be a blood clot.
• He remained in Chicago for rehab, then re-signed with the Bulls on a two-way contract after receiving medical clearance.
• He made a full recovery and returned to play in early 2025.

What this means: the blood clot could have ended his career, but a disciplined rehab allowed him to return within months. The trade-off: he lost critical early-season developmental time and team stability.

Why is Yuki Kawamura in the NBA?

How did Yuki Kawamura get drafted?

Kawamura went undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft after playing in the Japanese B.League. His playmaking and speed caught the attention of the Memphis Grizzlies, who signed him to a two-way contract in September 2024.

What is his basketball background?

• Born in Yanai, Japan, Kawamura played college basketball at Tokai University.
• He turned professional in the B.League, where he was named Rookie of the Year.
• His international play for Japan, including the 2023 FIBA World Cup, showcased his court vision and quickness.

The pattern: undrafted players with elite international experience and a unique skill set—especially passing—can earn NBA looks even with significant height limitations.

The pattern: undrafted international players with elite skills can find NBA opportunities regardless of physical limitations.

What happened to Yuki Kawamura now?

What team is Yuki Kawamura on now?

After stints with the Memphis Grizzlies (2024) and Chicago Bulls (early 2025), Kawamura signed with the Indiana Pacers in June 2025. He is currently on a two-way contract and has been active in the 2025-26 season.

What is his current contract status?

• He signed a two-way contract with the Pacers in June 2025.
• Two-way contracts allow him to split time between the NBA and the G League.
• He has appeared in games for the Pacers during the 2025-26 season.

The catch: two-way contracts offer limited salary and no playoff eligibility, but they keep his NBA dream alive. For the Pacers, he provides a cheap, high-motor depth guard who can run an offense in short minutes.

What is Yuki Kawamura’s contract and salary?

What is a two-way contract?

A two-way contract allows an NBA team to carry an extra player who can spend up to 45 days with the NBA club and the rest in the G League. The salary is approximately half the minimum rookie salary, which for the 2024-25 season was around $500,000 per year. For more on NBA player salaries and contracts, see Jock Landale: Salary, Stats, Trade, and Bio.

How much does Yuki Kawamura earn?

• His two-way contract is reportedly worth around $500,000 annually.
• He earned a pro-rated salary with the Grizzlies and Bulls during earlier two-way deals.
• Exact figures are not publicly disclosed for all contracts.

The trade-off: two-way players earn far less than standard NBA contracts but get a foot in the door. For Kawamura, it’s a bet on his ability to convert this into a guaranteed deal within two seasons.

Timeline: Yuki Kawamura’s NBA journey

• May 2, 2001 – Born in Yanai, Japan
• 2023 – Played in Japanese B.League
• October 2024 – NBA debut with Memphis Grizzlies
• November 2024 – Diagnosed with blood clot, sidelined
• Early 2025 – Recovery, signed with Chicago Bulls
• June 2025 – Signed with Indiana Pacers
• 2025-26 season – Playing for Indiana Pacers

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

After signing with the Pacers, Kawamura said in a press release he was excited to continue his NBA journey.

For Japanese basketball fans, the choice is clear: Kawamura represents both a source of national pride and a real pathway for smaller guards. For the Pacers, the implication is that a 5’7″ two-way guard with elite playmaking can be a low-cost asset worth developing, or a trade chip if he outplays his contract.

For a deeper look at how the 5’7″ guard defied the odds after his health scare, read more about Yuki Kawamuras NBA journey.

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