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 in a rebuilding phase.
“The Nikkansports newspaper’s online edition featured a headline reading, ‘The Birth of the NBA’s Hachimura, a huge step for Japan.'”
Last season, as a junior at U.S. college Gonzaga, the 6-foot-8 (2.03 meters), 235-pound (106 kilogram) forward led the team by averaging 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 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.
“The selection of Hachimura, who came up through the Japanese basketball system, in the NBA draft fills us with immense pride,” stated Yuko Mitsuya from the Japan Basketball Federation.
Despite the introduction of a pro league in 2005 increasing its popularity, basketball in Japan still trails significantly behind baseball and soccer.
The growth of the sport is certain to leap and bound with Hachimura’s NBA career.
Hachimura, born to a Japanese mother and a father from the Republic of Benin, is the newest mixed-race Japanese athlete making waves in sports, following the footsteps of Naomi Osaka and Yu Darvish.
“Japan has significantly progressed with this,” stated Keisuke Tsutsumi, an office employee with an interest in the NBA. “It will elevate the status of the sport in this country.”
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 recognized Hachimura’s potential from an early age.
“Sakamoto, who is 59 years old, said, “I advised 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.
“Indeed, it’s quite fantastic,” stated Shibayama. “By taking a lead role in a league that’s challenging for Japanese players to penetrate, he will inspire a lot of Japanese people.”
Hachimura’s ascent is perfectly timed as Tokyo gears up to host the 2020 Olympics. The Japanese national men’s team, as the host country, has secured their spot and Hachimura could potentially play a key role in both the Olympics and the World Cup, which will take place in China later this year.
Tommy Sheppard, the interim general manager of Wizards, referenced the performance of the 21-year-old on Japan’s national team.
“He is central to Japan’s qualification for the world championships. He will also be a significant figure for his country’s basketball team during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” said Sheppard. “His ability to handle such responsibility at his age, coupled with his level of maturity, is likely to serve him well in the NBA.”
