Rui Hachimura

BIOGRAPHY

Rui Hachimura is an up and coming star in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was born on February 8th, 1998, in Toyama, Japan to a Japanese mother and Beninese father. He started his basketball career at Meisei High School for three years before transferring to Gonzaga University in the United States for his senior year of high school.

At Gonzaga, Rui excelled and quickly became one of the top high school prospects in the country. His combination of size (6’8”), athleticism, shooting ability and defensive intensity made him stand out as he helped lead Gonzaga to a 32-1 record his senior year while being named Washington State Player of The Year. He also represented Japan at FIBA Asia Cup 2017 where they won a silver medal.

In 2019 he declared for the NBA draft after two successful seasons at Gonzaga where he averaged over 19 points per game both years while leading them back to the NCAA Tournament sweet sixteen each season. On June 20th 2019 Rui Hachimura was selected ninth overall by The Washington Wizards becoming just second ever Japanese-born player chosen in NBA draft history after Yuta Watanabe who was drafted earlier that same evening by Memphis Grizzlies with 60th pick overall .

Since then, Rui has been steadily improving every aspect of his game and is now considered one of the rising stars in the league today averaging 13 points per game combined with 6 rebounds per game so far this season. In addition ,he’s also become very popular off court especially amongst Asian American community due to him being one first prominent Asian American athlete playing professional basketball here US . His popularity isn’t only restricted regionally as evidenced by him recently getting featured on cover NBA 2K21 videogame alongside Damian Lillard another All Star guard from Portland Trail Blazers..

Overall it’s safe say that future looks bright young 22 year old Rui Hachimura who many consider being centerpiece Washington franchise next few years ..He already proving could be special player on court with more room improvement yet come but hopefully will able provide role model those looking break into pro sports coming months ahead .