In recent years, Japan has
started to solidify its place on the global basketball map. The
steady ascent began with Rui Hachimura making waves as a lottery
pick and has since been sustained by the lengthy presence of Yuta
Watanabe in the NBA. But the next chapter in Japan’s basketball
story is being authored by two rising stars with very different
paths in young stars Keisei Tominaga and Yuki Kawamura.
Each player represents a
different style, personality, and journey, but their shared goal is
clear: to make a name for themselves in the NBA while pushing
Japanese basketball into its most promising era yet and a chance to
dominate Asia for years to come. Together, they are leading the
next wave of Japanese basketball, a movement that could define a
golden era for the nation’s hoops culture.
Keisei Tominaga: From Nebraska star to NBA dreamer
Nicknamed the “Japanese Steph
Curry,” Keisei Tominaga became a sensation at the University of
Nebraska with his deep range, fiery swagger, and clutch shooting.
Whether it was a pull-up three in transition or a quick-trigger
release from the corner, the crowd inside Pinnacle Bank Arena in
Lincoln, Nebraska always knew when the ball left his hands that it
had a real chance of going in.
Though Tominaga went undrafted
in the 2024 NBA Draft, he quickly landed a spot on a G-League
roster and continued to work toward his NBA dream. His shooting
alone makes him a prospect worth watching, but his personality and
work ethic make him even more compelling.
That electricity was on full
display at the 2024 FIBA Intercontinental Cup in Singapore. It was
last September that I had the opportunity to interview Tominaga,
where he drew thunderous applause every time he launched a three.
His team had just wrapped up a game, and even though he wasn’t
entirely pleased with his performance, he still flashed that
signature optimism and drive. There, I caught up with him to talk
about the experience and his aspirations.
Q: Every time you shoot a three, fans are anticipating
the ball coming in. You made a three and the arena went crazy. How
was it like playing here in Singapore and with your fans in Asia
and the love that they showed you out
here?
Tominaga:
“You know, it means a lot to me.
You see, you hear the crowd when I make the shot. I’m super happy
for it but I gotta be better for everything. But you know it was a
great, great experience for me.”
Q: Obviously you’ve struggled shooting the ball, but how
would you rate your performance personally in this
tournament?
Tominaga:
“I don’t think I did a good job,
you know, the way enough the way I wanted it to be. But I think
that’s a great experience for me, I could get better from it. You
know, I could learn from it a lot. So, I’m excited to keep
going.”
Q: After this tournament, what’s next for Keisei
Tominaga? Where will we see you play, any future
plans?
Tominaga:
“You know, I’m trying to get into
the league (NBA) so, you know I’ll keep showing what I can do out
there on the court and hopefully I can make it to the NBA
soon.”
Even during a down shooting
performance, Tominaga’s energy was palpable. His confidence in the
long-term goal didn’t waver. And why should it? With every deep
three, every off-ball relocation, every step-back jumper, he proves
he’s not just a novelty act—he’s a legitimate offensive
weapon.
Yuki Kawamura: The gritty playmaker with a huge heart
and growing fanbase
While Tominaga’s game is built
around flash and finesse, Yuki Kawamura’s path is defined by
toughness, hustle, and high basketball IQ. At just 5-foot-9,
Kawamura has never been the biggest player on the court, but that’s
never stopped him from standing out.
Currently suiting up for the
Memphis Hustle, the G-League affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies,
Kawamura has carved out a role as an impactful guard who plays with
heart on both ends. As of this writing, Kawamura is averaging 12.4
points, 4.8 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, while shooting an
efficient 46.5% from the field and 38.2% from deep.
What makes Kawamura special
isn’t just the stats, it’s about the impact. On multiple occasions,
the Grizzlies have featured him in NBA games, and every time, the
fan reaction has been electric. A behind-the-back dime in
transition. A fearless drive into the paint against players a foot
taller. A clutch corner three that sends social media into a
frenzy. Kawamura is a fan favorite, not just in Japan, but
globally.
The NBA itself has embraced
Kawamura as part of its broader international movement. His
highlights often get featured on NBA social media channels, and
with every appearance, more fans begin to root for the undersized
guard with a never-say-die mentality.
Now, Kawamura and the Grizzlies
have qualified into the 2025 NBA Playoffs and will face the
Oklahoma City Thunder in round one, a feat that Kawamura is
definitely proud to be a part of.
A shared dream and legacy in the making
Tominaga and Kawamura couldn’t
be more different on the court. One is a gunner who thrives on
spacing and movement. The other is a floor general who thrives on
angles and decision-making. But their journeys intertwine in a
bigger narrative, one that could shape the next decade of Japanese
basketball.
What Rui Hachimura and Yuta
Watanabe helped begin, Tominaga and Kawamura are set to continue.
The duo’s growth also coincides with the rise of Japan’s national
team, which made waves at the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the 2024
Paris Olympics.
Having multiple Japanese players
active in the G-League and flirting with NBA rosters is no longer
an anomaly. It’s becoming part of a trend, and that trend points to
a possible golden era of hoops in Japan. The country is now poised
to be one of the top contenders for the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup
2025, and Tominaga and Kawamura are leading the charge for the
Akatsuki.
The significance of this moment
can’t be overstated. For decades, Japanese basketball lagged behind
Asian neighbors like China and the Philippines in terms of global
impact. Now, the script is changing, and these two young stars are
helping flip the page.
– – –
Keisei Tominaga continues to
chase his dream with a shooter’s tunnel vision – focused, steady,
and fueled by every made shot and every miss. His love for the game
and his country is clear every time he hits the floor.
Yuki Kawamura, meanwhile, has
proven that height may be a limitation on paper, but not in heart.
He’s already winning over teammates, coaches, and fans alike with
his skill and spark.
While the road to becoming a
full-time NBA player is steep for both, what they represent is
already larger than the game. They are not only athletes but
symbols of Japan’s potential on the world basketball
stage.
In the end, whether or not they
make a permanent home in the NBA isn’t the only story. The real
victory lies in how they inspire a nation, empower a new
generation, and redefine what’s possible for Japanese
basketball.
