It's safe to say Washington Wizards owner Ted Leonsis is happy that they drafted Rui Hachimura with the ninth pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Hachimura is the first ever Japanese-born player to ever get selected in the first round of the annual rookie selection. While he only appeared on the radar of NBA scouts in his third year in Gonzaga, he quickly established himself as one of the most highly touted prospects in his class.
Now, before starting his first year in the NBA, the 21-year-old forward is set to headline Japan in the FIBA World Cup in China. Leonsis sees it as a big opportunity for his newest player, adding that it could pave the way for Rui to become the “best known and most popular athlete” in the Asian country.
Rui and popularity of basketball in Japan; I predict Rui could become best known and most popular athlete in Japan soon, Olympics and his rookie season all coming together. He has charisma, integrity and he knows how to play the game on floor and with fans https://t.co/MdaP3oQ0lR
— Ted Leonsis (@TedLeonsis) August 31, 2019
Hachimura's arrival in the NBA quickly sparked the interest of Japanese fans on the league, so Leonsis' prediction might not be far-fetched at all.
In fact, according to Joel Rush of Forbes, Japan has almost no interest in the sport and the league ever since Michael Jordan retired from the NBA. However, he said that both Hachimura and fellow NBA player Yuta Watanabe are leading the charge in bringing it back to the country:
It seems safe to say that Hachimura and fellow NBA colleague Yuta Watanabe, signed last year to a two-way contract as an undrafted rookie by the Memphis Grizzlies, are the most visible and powerful catalysts for the current rise of basketball in Japan, the main driving engines which have put the sport back in both the news and the public awareness.
Hachimura averaged 19.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 59.1 percent shooting in his final year with the Bulldogs. Fans hope that his game translates well into the league as John Wall will be out due to his Achilles injury.
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