Memphis Grizzlies players can only laugh or smile when asked about one of the most unexpected, budding relationships on the roster.

Ja Morant is one of the NBA’s most recognizable superstars. Yuki Kawamura is a Japanese star who is quickly becoming a Grizzlies fan favorite in his rookie season.

It took the duo only one day to form a handshake. Since then, what’s transpired between Kawamura and Morant can be best described as simply “funny,” according to teammates.

“It’s so funny to see that unfold,” Jay Huff said.

“It’s funny to watch, they seem like two little buddies,” Brandon Clarke said. “I like to watch them. Feels like it’s two sides colliding.”

Morant has always been viewed as one of the biggest personalities on the Grizzlies' roster. He’s energetic, vocal and comfortable around teammates.

Kawamura has been with the Grizzlies for a little more than a month, but he has been described similarly. He's rarely sitting on the bench or without much movement during games. Scotty Pippen Jr. called Kawamura “the energy of the team.”

“He barely knew English but he was already super engaged on the team,” said Santi Aldama, who is from Spain. “Me with English being my second language, I know how hard that is.”

'You can't see me'

The Kawamura-Morant dynamic is a classic example of how sports serve as a connector for people from drastically different backgrounds. Part of Kawamura’s transition is learning English, and Morant is a self-described country boy from a small town in South Carolina. Even though Kawamura has taken it upon himself to study, listen and watch things that help him understand the English language, nothing can prepare for the slang he hears from Morant.

“I got a little language barrier, too, man,” Morant said.

He laughs when Kawamura shows him new gestures, signals or slang words that he’s picked up on. Nearly every day, Kawamura has something new, Morant said.

First, it was the “raising the roof” gesture, something usually reserved for moments like big dunks or game-shifting plays, but Kawamura is still figuring that out. He recently did it after the Grizzlies made free throws that didn't have a major impact on the game.

“A lot of stuff he learns and he just say and it don’t be at the right moment,” Morant said, laughing. “But aye man, it’s Yuki. It’s his world and we’re just living in it.”

Kawamura’s new move is John Cena’s “you can’t see me” gesture, waving his hand across his face after made 3-pointers.

There’s also the slang terms that he is picking up from teammates. One of the phrases is “no cap,” which is essentially another way to say "no lie."

“I just got to make sure we keep it the right stuff and make sure he don’t be saying none too wild,” Morant said.

Giving on and off the court

Kawamura is picking up on some of the American ways of his teammates, but he's also giving them a little taste of his Japanese culture. He recently walked into the Grizzlies' locker room with a bunch of different Japanese candies. Chocolate and jelly beans were among the options.

Morant picked up a box of Poifull-brand jelly beans. So did Clarke and Aldama. Pippen isn’t a jelly beans guy, so he went for the chocolate.

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So far, the reviews have been good. Kawamura has Jaren Jackson Jr. mindful of his weight. Pippen is patiently waiting for Kawamura’s candy store to open again for his next round of chocolate and Clarke still has a portion of his jelly beans in his locker.

“They were really good,” Aldama said of the jelly beans. “I still have some at home. They were really good to the point where I asked him not to give me more because I’m trying to dose them, but it’s pretty hard.”

Being a loose basketball team creates comfort that transfers to the floor. Players become more comfortable with having tough conversations that lead to the ultimate goal of winning.

The Grizzlies already have a loose locker room, and the connection between the superstar point guard and the rookie has helped strengthen that culture.

“He just brings a light and joy to the team,” Morant said. “Just making sure he’s as comfortable as possible. Just making sure that he’s being him, and he ain’t shying away from it at all.”

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Ja Morant, Yuki Kawamura forming personal relationship with Grizzlies