Memphis Grizzlies playmaker Yuki Kawamura stood off to the aspect with the remainder of his teammates as rookies Cam Spencer, Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey participated within the annual rookie dance competitors throughout Sunday’s open observe at FedExForum.
Shortly after the recruits accomplished their dance routines, a loud chant echoed throughout FedExForum.
Yuki! Yuki! Yuki!
Grizzlies followers requested the 5-foot-8 guard to affix the dance competitors, and he didn’t disappoint. Kawamura walked to half courtroom, shuffled his ft and carried out the favored “griddy” dance. He was later joined by Grizzlies star Ja Morant.
Kawamura gained the Grizzlies’ annual dance competitors to shut out open observe. The Japanese level guard has been a preferred participant throughout coaching camp with followers, media from his native nation and his teammates.
“I feel Yuki positively stole the present right this moment,” ahead Jake LaRavia stated. “He’s a personality.”
“He’s a high-energy man,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins stated. “He has a vibrant persona. I am blissful he was capable of present that in entrance of the followers.”
The dance competitors was the ultimate occasion, however Grizzlies gamers additionally competed in different classes. A 3-point shootout, a talent problem, trick photographs and half-court photographs have been all a part of Sunday’s festivities.
Here is every thing that stood out throughout open exercises.
Jaylen Wells taking pictures passes the attention check
Taking pictures was one of many Grizzlies’ greatest attracts for Wells earlier than the draft, and it is easy to see why. The rookie’s confidence grows day-after-day, and it is among the most vital parts of being an excellent shooter. Wells started the open observe by profitable the talents problem with a close to flawless efficiency. He made his first 3-pointer in all three rounds and beat Memphis middle Jay Huff within the closing. For those who wanted additional proof of Wells’ confidence, the 6-8 ahead appeared away and turned away from the basket earlier than his closing 3-point basket ended up splashing the web.
“He’s one other man who has a number of power,” Jenkins stated. “He got here in and was per the hassle on each ends of the pitch, the tempo we play with and the defensive exercise.”
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Zach Edey 3-pointer quickly?
Edey teamed up with Luke Kennard within the 3-point contest to tackle Desmond Bane and LaRavia. On paper, this may increasingly appear contradictory, however it’s not. The objective was the primary duo to 60 made 3-pointers. Bane and LaRavia gained, however it was shut. Kennard taking pictures the ball effectively is not any shock, however Edey was spectacular. His leap appeared clean and his mechanics have been repeatable. Now, Grizzlies followers will wait to see if the 7-4 huge man will try 3-point photographs in an actual sport.
“When there are alternatives to be on the perimeter, whether or not it is monitoring the play or transferring to the surface on his personal, I need him to really feel like he has the hearth inexperienced,” Jenkins stated. “I do not wish to limit him in any method. I wish to see what he can do.”
Preseason opening rotation
Memphis travels to Dallas for its preseason opener in opposition to the Mavericks on Monday (7 p.m.). Memphis shall be with out the next injured gamers: Jaren Jackson Jr. (hamstring), GG Jackson (foot surgical procedure), Vince Williams Jr. (stress response, left shin) and Spencer (ankle). Past these gamers, everybody else ought to be out there. Projected starters like Morant, Marcus Sensible and Desmond Bane are anticipated to play someplace within the low to mid 20s in minutes.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat author for The Business Enchantment. Contact Damichaël at [email protected]. Comply with Damichael on X, previously generally known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This text was initially printed on Memphis Business Enchantment: Yuki Kawamura and Jaylen Wells stand out at Memphis Grizzlies observe
