Yuki Kawamura: Blood Clot Ended His NBA Rookie Season

When a 5’7″ point guard from Japan steps onto an NBA court, the crowd notices. Yuki Kawamura did just that in October 2024, but his rookie season was cut short by a blood clot in his lower right leg — a treatable condition that sidelined a promising career. His story isn’t about being too small; it’s about a health setback that interrupted his shot at the league.

Height: 5’7″ (1.70 m) ·
Weight: 159 lb (72 kg) ·
Position: Point Guard ·
NBA Debut: October 25, 2024 ·
Team (latest): Chicago Bulls

Eight key facts about Yuki Kawamura, from his build to the medical incident that reshaped his NBA path.

Why Is Yuki Kawamura No Longer in the NBA?

The Blood Clot Diagnosis

Kawamura’s NBA journey with the Memphis Grizzlies was halted when team doctors discovered a blood clot in his lower right leg. According to Yahoo Sports, the clot surfaced during the preseason and forced him to sit out contact basketball until the risk of bleeding from anticoagulant medication subsided. The condition is treatable, but it required him to step away from play entirely.

Exit from the Memphis Grizzlies

Kawamura appeared in 22 games for Memphis during the 2024–25 season (Sports Illustrated). After the clot was discovered, he was placed on the injured list and eventually waived. He later re-signed with the Chicago Bulls on a two-way contract after receiving medical clearance from Bulls coach Billy Donovan, who confirmed a 12-week recovery period.

The pattern: Kawamura’s ability to return hinges entirely on his body’s response to treatment, not on his on-court talent.

What this means: The medical clearance is a green light, but the real test is whether he can sustain health under the physical demands of an NBA schedule.

What Is Yuki Kawamura’s Medical Condition?

Nature of a Blood Clot in Athletes

A blood clot is a gel-like mass that forms in a vein, and for athletes, a lower-leg clot like Kawamura’s can be triggered by prolonged sitting (e.g., flights), dehydration, or even minor trauma. Treatment typically involves blood-thinning medication, which raises internal bleeding risk during collisions (Yahoo Sports). That’s why the Bulls’ medical staff kept him out of contact basketball until the anticoagulant-related bleeding risk was resolved.

Recovery and Prognosis

Donovan stated that Kawamura was cleared after a 12-week recovery (Yahoo Sports). Kawamura himself told HoopsHype that “rehab wasn’t easy” and called it “a long journey.” Blood clots are not inherently career-ending — many athletes, including NBA players, have returned after treatment. The key is proper monitoring and clearance.

The implication: The clot is a manageable condition, but the Bulls’ cautious approach reflects the real risk of recurrence.

Is Yuki Kawamura the Shortest NBA Player?

Kawamura’s Height vs. Current NBA Players

Listed at 5’7″ (1.70 m), Kawamura is among the shortest active players in the league. Most NBA point guards stand 6’2″ or taller, making his height a notable outlier. In the 2024–25 season, only a few players — like Jalen Brunson (6’1″) — are considered short, but Kawamura is shorter than all of them.

Historical Shortest Players in the League

The shortest player in NBA history is Muggsy Bogues at 5’3″ (Wikipedia). Kawamura is 4 inches taller than Bogues. Other notably short players include Spud Webb (5’6″) and Isaiah Thomas (5’9″). So while Kawamura is one of the shortest currently active, he is not the shortest ever.

The catch: His height is a visual curiosity, but the medical condition is the actual barrier to his NBA longevity.

What Happened to Yuki Kawamura’s NBA Career?

Signing with the Memphis Grizzlies

Kawamura was undrafted but signed with the Grizzlies on September 6, 2024, after a strong preseason in which he averaged 3.4 points and 4.2 assists in 15.1 minutes across five games (Memphis Grizzlies). He was promoted to a two-way contract on October 19, 2024, per ESPN.

The Role of His Medical Condition in His Departure

Kawamura made his debut on October 25, 2024, against the Houston Rockets, and scored his first NBA points on November 6, 2024, against the Lakers (Sports Illustrated). But the blood clot diagnosis forced him to leave the Grizzlies. He was waived and later signed by the Bulls, but the health scare effectively ended his rookie season.

Future NBA Prospects

Kawamura’s current status is a two-way contract with the Bulls. His return to game action depends on continued medical clearance. If he can stay healthy, his playmaking and speed could earn him minutes, but the medical caution may limit his role.

Can Yuki Kawamura Return to the NBA?

Medical Clearance for Return

Bulls coach Billy Donovan confirmed that Kawamura received medical clearance after a 12-week recovery (Yahoo Sports). The team’s medical staff monitored the anticoagulant therapy and only cleared him once the bleeding risk was deemed acceptable. Kawamura’s own words — “Rehab wasn’t easy” — reflect the mental toll.

Current Team Status

As of the latest update, Kawamura is on a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls. He is not on an active NBA roster but is eligible to play for the Bulls’ G League affiliate. His future in the NBA will depend on his ability to stay healthy and earn a full roster spot.

The implication: A two-way contract buys time, but only consistent health will convert it into a permanent NBA role.

Timeline of Yuki Kawamura’s NBA Journey

• May 2, 2001 – Born in Yanai, Japan
• September 6, 2024 – Signs with Memphis Grizzlies (Memphis Grizzlies)
• October 19, 2024 – Promoted to two-way contract (ESPN)
• October 25, 2024 – NBA debut vs. Houston Rockets (Sports Illustrated)
• November 6, 2024 – First NBA points vs. Lakers
• Late 2024 – Blood clot discovered, sidelined (Yahoo Sports)
• Early 2025 – Cleared after 12-week recovery, signs with Chicago Bulls (Yahoo Sports)

The pattern: Each milestone is a step toward proving his durability, with the blood clot as the central pivot point.

What We Know vs. What Remains Unclear

Confirmed Facts

• Yuki Kawamura was diagnosed with a blood clot in his lower right leg.
• He was placed on the Grizzlies’ injured list and later waived.
• He re-signed with the Chicago Bulls on a two-way contract after medical clearance.
• He made 22 appearances for Memphis in the 2024–25 season.

What’s Unclear

• Exact date of the blood clot diagnosis.
• Whether the clot was directly caused by basketball activity or other factors.
• His long-term prognosis for a return to North American professional basketball.
• His current contract status with the Bulls or any NBA team.

The takeaway: The known facts are solid, but the unknowns—especially the clot’s origin and long-term outlook—leave his career trajectory uncertain.

Voices from the Story

“Rehab wasn’t easy. It was a long journey.”

— Yuki Kawamura, via HoopsHype

Kawamura was medically cleared after a 12-week recovery from the blood clot.

— Billy Donovan, Bulls coach, via Yahoo Sports

Kawamura stayed in Chicago during rehabilitation instead of leaving the team.

— Yahoo Sports

What This Means for Kawamura’s Future

Yuki Kawamura’s NBA career is not over — it’s paused. The blood clot was a treatable condition, and he has already received clearance to return to basketball. For the Chicago Bulls, the gamble is low: a two-way contract costs nothing if he doesn’t play, and a lot if he does. For Kawamura, the choice is clear: stay healthy, prove his value, and earn a permanent spot in the league. If he can do that, his story will be one of resilience, not limitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

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• Magic Johnson: Biography, Net Worth, HIV Diagnosis & Career – Another NBA star whose career was interrupted by a major health condition.
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