OCEANSIDE, California - Japan national basketball team standout Yuki Kawamura expressed his determination to earn an NBA callup Tuesday as he prepared for the start of the G League season with the San Diego Clippers.
The 170-centimeter guard was waived by the Los Angeles Clippers last month and subsequently signed with the franchise's developmental G League affiliate in San Diego.
He made his NBA debut with the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2024-25 season while on a two-way contract splitting his time between the NBA and G League, and spent last season with the Chicago Bulls, also on a two-way deal.
Asked about his goals for the upcoming season, Kawamura was unequivocal that the NBA remained his ultimate destination.
"My biggest goal is to earn a full NBA contract and become a player who can get on the court and have a defined role," he said. "Every day, I want to focus on the challenges right in front of me."
The 25-year-old, who averaged 18.7 points and 11 assists in 11 G League games last season, said he had been speaking with the San Diego coaching staff about impacting the game with steals.
"They've talked to me a lot about my instincts for getting steals," Kawamura said. "That's something I'll need if I'm going to make it in the NBA. They're really pushing me to improve in that area and helping me grow."
The Yamaguchi Prefecture native said he wants to make his case for a fulltime NBA roster spot by being a "game changer" whenever he steps on the court.
"Whether it's in the G League or the NBA, one thing that doesn't change is that I want to be a game changer," he said.
"I want to make plays that can completely shift the momentum of a game, whether that's a no-look pass or a steal. I want to become the kind of player who makes NBA teams think, 'We want to give him a chance.'"
San Diego tips off its season at home Friday against the Valley Suns.
