Yuki Kawamura: NBA Career, Blood Clot, and Height Record

Just 5’7″ and coming off a serious blood clot scare, Yuki Kawamura is proving that the path to the NBA isn’t always a straight line. His journey from Japan’s B.League to the Chicago Bulls is a story of resilience, not just highlight reels. What follows is a look at his career right now, the medical fight he won, and where he fits among the league’s shortest players.

Height: 5’7″ ·
Weight: 159 lbs ·
Age: 23 ·
Team: Chicago Bulls ·
PPG: 2.5 ·
APG: 1.7

The table below captures the nine data points that define his place in the league.

What happened to Yuki Kawamura now?

Yuki Kawamura’s NBA debut

Kawamura made his NBA debut on October 25, 2024, with the Chicago Bulls, according to Basketball-Reference. He had signed a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies earlier in 2024 but was waived before the season. The Bulls picked him up, seeing his potential as a playmaker.

Blood clot diagnosis

During training camp in October 2025, the Bulls released Kawamura because of a lower right leg injury that turned out to be a blood clot, as reported by Wikipedia. Hoops Rumors confirmed the medical condition and quoted Kawamura saying, “Rehab wasn’t easy” and “It was a long way.”

Summer League highlights

Before the blood clot, Kawamura had impressed during the NBA Summer League. His quickness and court vision stood out, earning him attention from multiple teams. CNN described him as a player who “defies height expectations” with his skill set.

The pattern: Kawamura’s raw talent got him a foot in the door, but a serious health crisis nearly shut it. His ability to come back from that injury will determine whether he stays in the league or fades into G League obscurity.

Is Yuki Kawamura playing in the NBA?

Current team and contract status

Yes, Kawamura is an active NBA player for the Chicago Bulls. He signed a two-way contract on July 19, 2025, as reported by the Chicago Tribune. After being waived in October 2025 due to the blood clot, the Chicago Tribune reported on January 7, 2026, that he was re-signed to another two-way deal following medical clearance.

Playing time and role

Kawamura plays as a point guard. He averaged 2.5 points and 1.7 assists per game in the 2024-25 season, according to ESPN. His role is expected to be limited as a backup, with most of his development coming in the G League with the Windy City Bulls, as noted by NBC Insider.

The trade-off: He’s on an NBA roster, but his time on the floor depends on injuries ahead of him. The two-way contract gives the Bulls flexibility — but also means he’s one of the first cut if roster space gets tight.

What is Yuki Kawamura’s medical condition?

Diagnosis: thoracic outlet syndrome with blood clot

Kawamura was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder leading to thoracic outlet syndrome, though the Bulls-specific incident in 2025 involved a clot in his lower right leg. Hoops Rumors reported that Kawamura said he found out about the clot “before the season started.” The condition forced him to miss the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign.

Recovery and return

He underwent surgery and a 12-week recuperation period. The Chicago Tribune reported on January 7, 2026, that he received medical clearance and was re-signed by the Bulls. Kawamura told Hoops Rumors he was “super excited” to play and “super happy” to be back on the court.

What this means: Blood clots are a career-threatening condition for athletes — they can end seasons or careers if not managed properly. Kawamura’s successful return speaks to both modern sports medicine and his own discipline.

Is Yuki Kawamura the shortest NBA player?

Height of current shortest NBA players

The list of shortest active NBA players is short. At 5’7″ or 5’8″, Kawamura is the shortest active player in the league. The previous shortest was Isaiah Thomas at 5’9″. NBC Insider stated on October 13, 2025, that only one player in the NBA came in under six feet tall: Yuki Kawamura.

Kawamura’s height in context

For context, the average NBA point guard is about 6’2″. Kawamura is roughly seven inches shorter. That puts him in rare company alongside past shortest players like Muggsy Bogues (5’3″) and Earl Boykins (5’5″). Wikipedia’s list of shortest NBA players shows that only a handful of sub-5’9″ players have ever made a roster.

The comparison table below shows the height gap Kawamura faces.

The pattern: Every sub-5’9″ NBA success story — Bogues, Boykins, Webb — relied on elite speed and basketball IQ. Kawamura checks those boxes, but his medical history adds a risk those players didn’t face.

Can Yuki Kawamura make the NBA?

Journey from Japan to NBA

Kawamura played in Japan’s B.League before signing with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2024 on a two-way contract. He then moved to the Chicago Bulls. Japan Forward reported he appeared in 22 games for the Grizzlies in the 2024-25 campaign, averaging limited minutes.

Skills that earned him a roster spot

His quickness and playmaking ability compensate for his height. He’s a pass-first point guard who can break down defenses off the dribble. The Bulls are betting that his floor vision and three-point shooting potential make him a viable backup, even if his defense remains a liability.

Summary

Yuki Kawamura is the shortest active NBA player, a Japanese guard who has already bounced back from a blood clot that could have ended his career. For the Chicago Bulls, the decision is clear: develop him in the G League and see if his speed can translate into meaningful minutes, or risk losing a player who could become a marketing and locker room asset for a franchise in need of both.

Related reading: **Shohei Ohtani: Contract, Wife, Scandal, and Two-Way Greatness**

For a deeper look at how his stature has shaped his path, see Yuki Kawamuras height and career.

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