Playing for his native Japan national team, Washington Wizards rookie Rui Hachimura dominated in an international friendly, leading to a 99-89 win over New Zealand early Monday morning. Hachimura finished with a game-high 35 points on 13-of-17 shooting from the field. He also added five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The game is in preparation for next month’s FIBA World Cup.
Since being drafted ninth overall in June’s NBA Draft by the Wizards, Hachimura has skyrocketed in popularity mainly in his native Japan. He is becoming a polarizing figure there before he has played his first NBA game.
And he is welcoming the added responsibility of being Japan’s face of basketball.
“I want to be the face of athletes in Japan. I want to be the guy,” Hachimura told NBC Sports Washington. “When you think about athletes in Japan, I want people to think it’s me. I have a bigger goal. I’m doing it for my family.”
Hachimura has even already starred in an endorsement commercial for Nissin Foods, hyping the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Wizards fans have been buzzing about Rui Hachimura and his future in Washington, and following Monday’s performance coupled with his impressive showing at the Las Vegas Summer League, that buzz appears justified.
