Standing at 1.7 meters, Yuki Kawamura returns to the NBA! This is good news for the crucial battle of the Chinese men's basketball team!

Japanese guard Yuki Kawamura has re-signed a two-way deal with the Chicago Bulls, marking his return to the NBA.

To make room, the team released another two-way contract player, Trent Frazier.

My initial reaction when I saw this news was:Kawamura needs to stay in the NBA for two months...

On February 26, China’s men's basketball team will face Japan in a crucial World Cup Asia qualifier battle.

After two losses to South Korea, the importance of this game for us needs no further explanation; just understand that another heavy defeat would ignite criticism from all sides.

If Yuki Kawamura cannot play, it would actually be an advantage for us considering the opponent’s strength.

We all understand sayings like “to hit the target, one must be strong oneself” and “expanding enrollment at Tsinghua and Peking University doesn’t affect underperforming students.”

Di Ge didn’t say Kawamura won’t play, so we should remain confident of victory.

But if you have followed Japan’s basketball in recent world competitions, you’d know their main weapon is the endless pick-and-roll between Yuki Kawamura and Hokinson, which is very effective.

Rui Hachimura and Watanabe are relegated to corner roles in this system, which explains Hachimura’s ongoing dissatisfaction...

In this World Cup Asia qualifier, their starting point guard is 1.72 meters tall, 30-year-old Takumi Saito.

In two matches where they beat Chinese provincial teams, Saito’s scoring was always in single digits.

Given the poor performances in the CBA league by national players like Hu Mingxuan, I have to borrow this phrase:

“Without Kawamura, it’s very important for the Chinese men’s basketball team.”

I believe this is a straightforward thought shared by many fans.

Returning to Kawamura himself.

In the Summer League, he played for the Bulls, averaging 23.8 minutes, scoring 9.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 2.2 steals, and 3.4 turnovers per game, with shooting percentages of 40.5%, 39.1%, and 81.8% from the field, three-point, and free-throw lines respectively.

In two preseason games against the Cleveland Cavaliers, he averaged 11 minutes, scoring 3 points, with 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

However, he was waived in October due to a right leg injury. Yet, he has remained in Chicago for over two months, using the team’s superior facilities for treatment and recovery.

Bulls head coach Donovan has always appreciated the positive influence this player brings to teammates and the team, granting him special permission to stay.

Honestly, this guy really fits in well with his NBA teammates.

From his “dance” days with the Grizzlies to quietly listening to tactics with the Bulls...

The survival environment for two-way contract players in the NBA is very unstable.

He might get waived again at any moment...

But currently, the Bulls’ situation offers Kawamura an opportunity.

Starting guard Josh Giddey suffered a left hamstring strain and will be out for at least two weeks; Kobe White has a calf injury and will miss at least one week; other players such as Buzeilis, Collins, and Smith also have some injuries.

The shortage of guards will give Yuki Kawamura some chances to play.

“Whether it’s garbage time or any moment, I must always be 100% ready and perform on the court; this is what I can do now.”

This is how he expressed himself.

But as mentioned before, for players like Kawamura, the bigger stage is still the G League.

There, he has the ball more and opponents generally don’t defend aggressively.

An official NBA data correction:

His height is 1.70 meters, not 1.72 meters as previously reported...

His basketball story is an inspirational example, but contact sports are always brutal.

One last note,Only players with less than four seasons of NBA experience are eligible to sign two-way contracts.

The time left for Kawamura to chase his dream is actually running out...