Yuki Kawamura Returns to Chicago Bulls on a 2-Way Contract

The Chicago Bulls have signed point guard Yuki Kawamura to a two-way contract.

After a months-long medical setback, Kawamura can now play in the NBA and for the Windy City Bulls, the team's NBA G League affiliate. The contract was announced on Tuesday, January 6. Kawamura is now listed on the active rosters for both basketball teams.

The 173-cm playmaker, the shortest player in the NBA, appeared in 22 games for the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2024-25 campaign. He averaged 1.6 points, 0.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 4.2 minutes. During the same season, Kawamura also had more extended playing time with the G League's Memphis Hustle, contributing 12.4 points and 7.8 assists in 24 games (all starts).

Yuki Kawamura Overcomes Medical Setback

The Japanese fan favorite appeared in a pair of preseason games for Chicago, but he was released before the start of the regular season on October 17, 2025, due to a leg injury.

After being cut by the Bulls, the 24-year-old Yamaguchi Prefecture native underwent medical treatment for a blood clot in his lower right leg for three months in Chicago. According to published reports, the Bulls medical staff oversaw his physical rehabilitation, preparing Kawamura for his comeback.

"Thank you @chicagobulls for giving me another opportunity," Kawamura wrote in an Instagram post. "Rehab wasn't easy, but I'm super excited to play in front of all the fans. I truly appreciate your patience and support."

*Yuki Kawamura shoots a jumper in an NBA preseason game on October 9, 2025 in Chicago. (©Patrick Gorski/IMAGN IMAGES/via REUTERS)*

Bulls head coach Billy Donovan told reporters that the team planned to re-sign Kawamura after he completed medical treatment for the blood clot and physical rehab, the Chicago Tribune reported.

"You always take those things seriously," Donovan was quoted as saying by the Chicago Tribune. "He's worked really, really hard. I'm happy for him because at that point, when you have something like that, you just don't know what that's going to look like in the future. I'm just happy it all worked out well for him."

Chicago (17-20) is in 10th place in the NBA's 15-team Eastern Conference.

As of 9:45 PM JST on January 8, the Bulls' announcement that they had signed Kawamura was viewed 5.1 million times on X (formerly Twitter). And it was retweeted 15,000 times.

From Japan to the NBA

Yuki Kawamura played in Japan's B.League for five years (2020-25), making his pro debut as a teenager with the San-en NeoPhoenix. He became a star with the Yokohama B-Corsairs. During the 2022-23 season, Kawamura averaged 19.5 points and 8.5 assists for Yokohama, earning the B.League's MVP award.

In the B.League, he had career averages of 16.7 points, 7.3 assists and 3.0 rebounds. Kawamura also received significant playing time for Japan at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics.