The Washington Wizards are working in a handful of new players on their roster, but they’re still missing one of their core pieces. Rui Hachimura is still not with the team after being declared out for “personal reasons” in late September.
The Wizards forward has been away from the team in order to address his mental health, as reported by NBC Sports Washington’s Quinton Mayo.
Wizards F Rui Hachimura informed the team and coaching staff via text last week that he’d be absent from the beginning of training camp.
Hachimura is using the time to address his mental health, per sources.
— Quinton Mayo (@RealQuintonMayo) September 27, 2021
Now nearing two weeks since the initial report, Hachimura has yet to return through the start of preseason action. He has been recently active on social media, though. The Wizards star has unfollowed everyone on his Instagram account save for the page for his personal clothing brand.
It looks like Wizards F Rui Hachimura has unfollowed everyone on Instagram (other than his apparel page “Black Samurai”).
Hachimura has yet to report to Wizards training camp due to personal reasons. pic.twitter.com/Xt23cWkdVW
— Quinton Mayo (@RealQuintonMayo) October 5, 2021
While it’s hard to decipher what exactly this means, all we can hope for is that Rui Hachimura is move in the right direction with his recovery.
Losing Hachimura would be a huge blow for the Wizards to start the season. He was the team’s starting power forward and often got the role of defensive stopper against the opposing squad’s best offensive weapon.
However, the Wizards do have a newfound level of depth with a handful of capable forwards and big wings who can take his place in the meantime. Even still, here’s to hoping Rui Hachimura comes back better than ever when he’s ready.