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 by becoming 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 rebuilding their team.
“The emergence of the NBA’s Hachimura, a significant leap for Japan,” was the headline on the online edition of the Nikkansports newspaper.
The forward, who stands at 6-foot-8 and weighs 235 pounds (2.03 meters, 106 kilograms), led his team at Gonzaga, a U.S. college, last season with an average of 19.7 points and 6.5 rebounds. In his junior year, he was named the West Coast Conference player of the year.
Yasutaka Okayama, who was drafted 171st overall in 1981, is the only other Japanese player in NBA history. However, he never played in a regular-season game. Only two players from Japan have accomplished 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 from the Japan Basketball Federation expressed pride in Hachimura’s selection in the NBA draft, acknowledging him as a product of the Japanese basketball system.
Even though its popularity has increased since the initiation of a pro league in 2005, basketball in Japan still significantly trails behind baseball and soccer.
The sport is certain to grow exponentially thanks to Hachimura’s NBA career.
Hachimura, born to a Japanese mother and a father from the Republic of Benin, is the most recent mixed-race Japanese sports figure to gain prominence, joining the ranks of Naomi Osaka and Yu Darvish.
“Japan has taken a significant step forward,” stated Keisuke Tsutsumi, an office worker and NBA follower. “This will elevate the sport to an unprecedented level here.”
Joji Sakamoto, Hachimura’s junior high school coach, welcomed the news of his draft selection.
Sakamoto, who coached Hachimura in his hometown of Toyama Prefecture, recognized his student’s potential from a young age.
“Sakamoto, who is 59, said, “I advised him to imagine his dream, and now it’s going to become a reality.”
Masahiko Shibayama, Japan’s education minister, stated that Hachimura has inspired a generation of young players in his native country.
“Truly, it’s magnificent,” expressed Shibayama. “His significant role in a league that proves tough to penetrate for Japanese players will inspire numerous Japanese individuals.”
The emergence of Hachimura couldn’t have been more timely, as Tokyo gears up to host the 2020 Olympics. As the host nation, Japan’s men’s national team has secured a spot in the competition, and Hachimura is expected to play a crucial role in both the Olympics and the World Cup in China later in the year.
Tommy Sheppard, the interim general manager for the Wizards, referred to the 21-year-old’s performance for the national team of Japan.
“Sheppard stated, “He is the focal point for Japan to qualify for the world championships. Furthermore, when the Olympics arrive in Tokyo in 2020, he will be the country’s focal point on the basketball team. Given his age, it’s impressive that he can shoulder that responsibility with such maturity. I believe this bodes well for his future in the NBA.”
