MACAU—Fresh off the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend, former NBA guard Jeremy Lin had high praise for Japanese guard Yuki Kawamura.
The two Asian ballers met during the 2025 NBA All-Star Weekend, when Lin served as an honorary head coach for Team G League.
Kawamura, who joined the Memphis Grizzlies ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season, has become a fan favorite. The Japanese guard has even formed a strong bond with his teammates, particularly Ja Morant.
Still, Kawamura has bounced around from the NBA and G-League. But for Lin, that doesn’t change the fact of how skilled the 5-foot-8 guard is on the court.
“Everybody’s gonna talk about his skill—as a passer, as a ball-handler, as a leader, and a shooter, he’s phenomenal,” Lin said during the EASL Final Four opening press conference . “But what was really cool to see was his mindset. You don’t know as much until you talk to somebody, but in-depth conversations with him showed me his resilience.”
Lin recalled how Kawamura chose to move to Memphis alone, refusing to bring anyone with him because he wanted to grow independently.
“He didn’t want help, he wanted to figure it out on his own,” Lin added. “I just love his mindset. I really think he’s gonna make it and be an NBA player for a few years and have a good career.”
Beyond Kawamura’s personal drive, Lin also acknowledged the challenges Asian players face when trying to break into the NBA.
Lin, himself, knows how difficult it is just to get a roster spot among the 30 teams.
“I’ve always felt like in Asian culture, it’s harder to succeed in a non-Asian industry,” Lin explained. “If you’re Asian and you’re playing in Asia, that’s one thing. But when you go somewhere where nobody looks like you and nobody around you respects you, it takes a different level of killer to be able to make it.”
But even with all the obstacles in his way, Lin believes Kawamura’s mindset is what will set him apart.
“I think that’s what Yuki is. Deep inside, he’s a killer, and that’s why he’s going to make it,” he said.
