What Happened to Rui Hachimura? Everything We Need To Know
by A Maria
Updated May 03, 2023
Who is Rui Hachimura?
Rui Hachimura is a professional basketball player from Japan who currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. He is versatile and plays both small forward and power forward positions. Hachimura played college basketball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs and was also a member of the Japan national team. He was selected ninth overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2019 NBA draft and was subsequently named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2020.
Hachimura had a successful career at the youth level in Japan, leading Meisei High School to three consecutive All-Japan High School Tournament titles and playing for the Japanese under-17 and under-19 national teams in FIBA competition. In 2016, he became the fifth Japanese-born men's NCAA Division I player when he joined Gonzaga. As a sophomore, he was awarded first-team All-WCC honors and was also a finalist for the Naismith Player of the Year. In 2017, he made history by becoming the first Japanese national to play in the NCAA Division I men's tournament, cementing his legacy as one of Japan's greatest basketball players.
What Happened to Rui Hachimura?
Reports say that Rui Hachimura, the power forward for the Washington Wizards, is currently taking a personal leave of absence from the team. The absence is excused, and there is no set time for when he will return. The Wizards will begin their preparations for the upcoming 2021-22 season on Tuesday. Hachimura was selected by Washington with the ninth overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft after having a successful college basketball career at Gonzaga. As a rookie, he was selected to the All-Rookie second team after averaging 13.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game in 48 games.
Hachimura continued to perform well in his second season, averaging 13.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 47.8 percent from the field over 57 games. He also represented Japan in the 2021 Summer Olympics, where he scored 34 points against Luka Doncic and Slovenia. Hachimura is expected to play a significant role for the Wizards this season, as they made major changes to the team during the offseason, including trading Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers. If Hachimura is not back in time for the regular season, other frontcourt players such as Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell, Thomas Bryant, and Daniel Gafford will be asked to step up.
Rui Hachimura Injury Update
Regarding Rui Hachimura's injury update, the Washington Wizards announced on September 25, 2021, that he had been excused from the start of training camp due to personal reasons. It was not disclosed what those personal reasons were. However, he did eventually make his season debut on January 9, 2022, recording six points and three rebounds in a win over the Orlando Magic. Throughout the 2021-2022 NBA season, Hachimura played in 42 games, averaging 11.3 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, and 1.1 assists per game.
Although these averages represented a slight dip in his career averages, he showed significant improvement in his three-point shooting. Hachimura's 44.7 percent rate from beyond the arc was second only to Luke Kennard's (44.9 percent) among NBA players with at least 100 attempts. It is worth noting that there is no information indicating that Hachimura suffered any significant injury during the 2021-2022 season. His absence from training camp and early-season games was due to personal reasons, which were not disclosed.
Rui Hachimura Lakers
Rui Hachimura, the Japanese power forward who played for the Washington Wizards, was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on January 23, 2023. In exchange for Hachimura, the Wizards received Kendrick Nunn and three second-round draft picks. This trade was a part of the Lakers' effort to improve their frontcourt depth and give them more flexibility in their lineup. Hachimura made his debut for the Lakers two days later on January 25, 2023, against the San Antonio Spurs. He recorded 12 points and six rebounds in a 113-104 win for the Lakers.
Hachimura's addition to the Lakers' lineup was a significant move for the team, as he brought with him valuable experience as a young player and the ability to play both the small forward and power forward positions. With his impressive scoring and rebounding ability, Hachimura is expected to make a big impact for the Lakers in the coming season, and he will be a key player in the team's push for a championship.
Rui Hachimura Family
Rui Hachimura was born to a Japanese mother named Makiko and a Beninese father named Zakari Jabil in Toyama Prefecture, Japan. Hachimura's grandfather named him "Rui" which means "base" or "fortress" in Japanese, as he was a big baseball fan, and the character is also used in the context of baseball. His surname comes from his mother's family. Hachimura has three younger siblings, one brother, and two sisters. His younger brother Allen (Aren) played basketball at Tokai University in Japan.
As a child, Hachimura played baseball as a catcher and pitcher. In December 2013, he led the Meisei High School basketball team to its second title in the All-Japan High School Tournament, scoring 32 points in a 92–78 win over Fukuoka University Ohori. He helped his team win the tournament for a second straight year in 2014. Hachimura was invited to the Jordan Brand Classic in April 2015, where he recorded nine points and five rebounds in the International Game.
Rui Hachimura Height
Rui Hachimura's height of 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 meters) is considered above average for a man, making him an ideal height for a basketball player. This height allows him to play multiple positions, including small forward and power forward. Along with his strength, speed, and agility, his height makes him a versatile player on the court, allowing him to play both inside and outside and finish strongly at the rim. He is also an excellent rebounder and defender, using his height and wingspan to his advantage. His height has helped him match up well against some of the taller players in the league, as he can guard multiple positions and contest shots effectively. However, it's important to note that being tall is just one aspect of being a successful basketball player, and Hachimura's hard work, determination, and skill set are also key factors in his success in the NBA.
Rui Hachimura's height has been an advantage for him in basketball, but his success in the league is not solely dependent on it. While being tall helps him play multiple positions and match up against taller players, it's not the only thing that makes him a successful player. His hard work, determination, and skill set have also contributed to his success in the NBA. He has shown that he can be a key player in the league by constantly improving his game and adapting to different situations on the court. Despite his height, he still needs to work on other aspects of his game, such as his shooting and ball-handling, to become an even more effective player in the league.
Rui Hachimura Age
Rui Hachimura, 25, on November 11, 2016, Rui Hachimura made his NCAA Division I debut for the Gonzaga Bulldogs in a game against Utah Valley. He recorded one point and three rebounds in just four minutes, becoming the fifth Japanese-born player to ever play in the league. Throughout his freshman season, Hachimura showed flashes of his potential, scoring a season-high of 10 points in a game against Mississippi Valley State on December 1. He also helped his team win the WCC title by scoring eight points in a game against San Diego on February 23. Hachimura made history on March 16, 2017, when he became the first Japanese native to appear in the NCAA Division I men's tournament, playing for one minute against South Dakota State. Overall, he averaged 2.6 points and 1.4 rebounds while shooting 53 percent from the field in 4.6 minutes per game.
Despite his limited playing time in his freshman year, Hachimura's potential was evident, and he continued to improve in the following seasons. He went on to become a star player for the Bulldogs and was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Year in his junior year. Throughout his college career, he developed a reputation as a versatile and athletic player, capable of playing multiple positions on the court. Hachimura's strong performance in college caught the attention of NBA scouts, and he was eventually drafted in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft by the Washington Wizards.
Professional Career of Rui Hachimura
Rui Hachimura declared for the NBA draft in April 2019, forgoing his final year of college eligibility. He was drafted by the Washington Wizards as the ninth overall pick and became the first Japanese player ever taken in the first round of the NBA draft. He made his NBA debut on October 23, 2019, posting a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Hachimura suffered a groin injury in December 2019 and missed several games. He was later named to the second-team NBA All-Rookie Team in September 2020. During the 2021-2022 NBA season, Hachimura played 42 games, averaging 11.3 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, and 1.1 assists per game. His three-point shooting improved dramatically, with a 44.7 percent rate, second only to Luke Kennard among NBA players with at least 100 attempts.
On January 23, 2023, Hachimura was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Kendrick Nunn and three second-round draft picks. He made his Lakers debut two days later, recording 12 points and six rebounds in a win over the San Antonio Spurs. In his last game before being traded, he scored a career-high-tying 30 points, alongside five rebounds and two blocks, in a win over the Orlando Magic.
Rui Hachimura Bio
Position
Power forward
League
NBA
DOB
February 8, 1998
Age
25
Place of birth
Toyama, Japan
Listed height
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight
230 lb (104 kg)
High school
Meisei (Sendai, Japan)
College
Gonzaga (2016–2019)
NBA draft
2019 / Round: 1 / Pick: 9th Overall
Playing career
2019–present
SPECIFICATIONS
DETAILS
What Happened to Rui Hachimura - FAQs
Rui Hachimura is from Japan.
Rui Hachimura plays both small forward and power forward positions.
Rui Hachimura played for the Gonzaga Bulldogs in college.
Yes, Rui Hachimura has played for the Japanese national team.
Rui Hachimura was drafted ninth overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2019 NBA draft.