LILLE (France) - Yuki Kawamura never doubted he would be at the 2024 Olympics. That was the goal he openly discussed more than two years ago.
Now, the point guard has done more than just being a part of the Games here in France, but also being the main catalyst of a historic performance to remember.
After a FIBA Basketball World Cup debut last year, Kawamura has emphasized once again that he belongs among the world's best.
He relentlessly and fearlessly drove to the basket, whipped the ball around to his teammates, took clutch shots and handled pressure like a seasoned veteran - despite being only 23 years old. In Japan's second game in Paris - a heartbreaking 94-90 overtime loss - the playmaker collected 29 points with six three-pointers, seven rebounds, six assists and one steal.
In the first quarter alone, Kawamura scored 10 points and dished out two dimes to set the tone towards an impressive overall effort.
When France looked favored to breakaway after Rui Hachimura was ejected from the game in the fourth quarter, Kawamura took over, either scoring or assisting in all 12 of Japan's last points of the interval.
He then willed three points for Japan in the extra overtime period before having to accept defeat. It took two of the best defensive players in the world, giants Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama, to stop him.
This performance came after the 1.72M (5'8") guard tallied 11 points on three three-pointers, one rebound, seven assists and one steal in Japan's opening loss to Germany.
No one should be surprised Kawamura is playing in Paris. Because he definitely isn't. Playing at big stages like this has always been his target.
"I want to challenge the world," he had said back then as just a 16-year-old as per Basket Count.
"My goal is to become a point guard representing Japan and to participate in the Paris Olympics," Kawamura also told FIBA back in March 2022 when he decided to drop out of university to pursue a professional career.
"The result of thinking about how to get closer to achieving that goal led to this decision. I grew up to be a basketball player representing Japan, I want to go."
And here he is.
After playing in both the U16 Asia Cup and U18 Asia Cup in 2018, Kuwamura jumped to the senior team at the Asia Cup 2022 and has become a real leader with AKATSUKI JAPAN since then.
Despite being just 22 years old at the time, he already took the reins of the team and averaged 13.6 points and 7.6 assists per game - and that playing under the spotlight of a World Cup in front of the home fans.
Now, Kawamura is holding his own at the Olympics - another massive stage. Just where he expected to be.
Feel free to be surprised by what the youngster is doing. Just know this is all according to Kawamura's plan.
FIBA