Famous Reporter Reveals Morant as the Biggest Backer Behind Yuki Kobayashi, Trying Hard to Increase His Media Exposure

October 20, 2023 – According to ESPN reporter Shams Charania, due to his outstanding performance in the preseason, guard Yuki Kobayashi is about to sign a two-way NBA contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Kobayashi, born in Japan, is 23 years old. In five preseason games, he averaged 15.1 minutes of playtime, contributing 3.4 points and 4.2 assists, hitting 4 out of 16 three-point shots. He is a member of the Japanese national team and participated in the Paris Olympics. Over the past four seasons, he has played for the Yokohama B-Corsairs in Japan, averaging 20.9 points and 8.0 assists last season, and winning the B.League MVP in 2023.

Statistics show that at 5 feet 8 inches (1.72 meters), Kobayashi will be the shortest player in the NBA for the upcoming season. Since the 1976 merger of the ABA and the NBA, only nine players 5 feet 8 inches or shorter have entered the NBA.

Kobayashi’s ability to stay in the NBA is closely linked to his personal outstanding performance and the strong support from Grizzlies’ star player Ja Morant.

According to renowned sports journalist Kelly Iko, “Morant has been one of Kobayashi’s biggest backers behind the scenes, repeatedly reminding photographers after the Grizzlies’ first preseason game to ensure that Kobayashi gets enough screen time on media platforms.”

After Kobayashi signed the two-way contract with the Grizzlies, Morant promptly posted a photo of Kobayashi in action on his social media account, which had already garnered over 1.8 million views by the time this article was published.