TOKYO (AP) — Japanese basketball officials, fans and media hailed the selection of Rui Hachimura in the 2019 NBA Draft, saying the move will usher in a new era for the sport in Japan.
On Thursday, Hachimura made history as the first Japanese player to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft. He was chosen as the No. 9 overall pick by the Washington Wizards, who are currently in a rebuilding phase.
“Nikkansports newspaper’s online edition headlined, ‘The Birth of the NBA’s Hachimura, a significant stride for Japan’.”
As a junior at U.S. college Gonzaga, the forward who stands 6-foot-8 and weighs 235 pounds (2.03 meters, 106 kilograms), led his team last season with an average of 19.7 points and 6.5 rebounds. He was also named the West Coast Conference player of the year.
Yasutaka Okayama, who was drafted 171st overall in 1981, is the only other Japanese player to have been drafted in NBA history. However, he never played in a regular-season game. Only two players from Japan have achieved this feat: Yuta Tabuse, who played for the Phoenix Suns in the 2004-05 season, and Yuta Watanabe, who played for the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2018-19 season.
Yuko Mitsuya of the Japan Basketball Federation expressed great pride in the fact that Hachimura, who came from the Japanese basketball system, has been picked in the NBA draft.
Despite the increase in popularity since the inception of a pro league in 2005, basketball in Japan still significantly trails behind baseball and soccer.
Hachimura’s NBA career is certain to significantly boost the growth of the sport.
Hachimura, whose mother is Japanese and father hails from the Republic of Benin, is the newest mixed-race Japanese athlete to gain prominence in sports. He follows in the footsteps of notable figures such as Naomi Osaka and Yu Darvish.
“Japan is taking a massive leap forward with this,” stated Keisuke Tsutsumi, an office worker and NBA enthusiast. “It’s going to elevate the sport to unprecedented heights here.”
Joji Sakamoto, Hachimura’s junior high school coach, welcomed the news of his draft selection.
Sakamoto, who coached Hachimura in their native Toyama Prefecture, stated that he noticed his student’s potential from a young age.
“Sakamoto, who is 59 years old, said, ‘I instructed him to envision his dream, and now it is going to become a reality.'”
Masahiko Shibayama, Japan’s education minister, stated that Hachimura has inspired a generation of young players in his homeland.
“By assuming a significant part in a league that’s challenging for Japanese players to penetrate, he will inspire many Japanese people,” said Shibayama, “It’s truly remarkable.”
The surge in Hachimura’s career couldn’t have come at a more opportune time, with Tokyo preparing to host the 2020 Olympics. The national men’s team of Japan has qualified as the host country, and Hachimura might play a significant role in both the Olympics and the World Cup in China later this year.
Tommy Sheppard, the interim general manager for the Wizards, commented on the 21-year-old’s performance for the national team of Japan.
“He is the key figure for Japan to qualify for the world championships. He will also be the center of attention for the country when the Olympics kick off in Tokyo in 2020,” said Sheppard. “His ability to handle that pressure at his young age, given his maturity, I believe will serve him well in the NBA.”
