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Rui Hachimura was a consistent contributor for the LA Lakers for the majority of the 2023-24 season, as he averaged 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists. However, he failed to deliver in crucial moments under Darwin Ham's regime.
The Lakers power forward has now suited up for his national team, representing Japan in the 2024 Paris Olympics. He faced the reigning FIBA World Champions, Germany, in a group-stage game on Saturday. Hachimura delivered a great performance scoring a double-double. He had 20 points, 10 rebounds and two assists in a 97-77 loss.
He went 4-of-19 from the field and 2-of-9 from downtown but capitalized from the free-throw line as converted 10 of the 12 attempts. Yuta Watanabe played the perfect second fiddle with 16 points, two rebounds and two assists.
As for the reigning FIBA World Champions, Franz Wagner was the star player with 22 points, six rebounds and one assist.
Hachimura had great exhibition games with his national team before the group stage games began. In his last exhibition game against Nikola Jokic and Serbia on Sunday, he dropped 29 points. However, the world champions proved too much for the Japanese team.
Rui Hachimura names his all-time teammates Starting 5
The official X account of FIBA posted a video of Rui Hachimura naming his all-time starting lineup featuring his teammates.
He named Russell Westbrook as his first choice, Bradley Beal followed second. Then came LeBron James and Kristaps Porzingis. Lastly, he named Anthony Davis as the final member of his starting five.
The Washington Wizards drafted Rui Hachimura as the ninth pick in the 2019 NBA draft. He stayed with the Wizards for more than three years, playing alongside veterans such as Bradley Beal.
In 2023, he was traded to the LA Lakers where he got a chance to play alongside basketball icons LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Hachimura became an integral part of the Purple and Gold's 2023 playoff run, helping the Lakers reach the conference finals.
