By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Missing the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where Japan played the group stage at home in Okinawa, Rui Hachimura is now back under head coach Tom Hovasse, headlining his country’s preliminary 16-man extended roster for this summer’s Olympics in Paris.
The last time the 26-year-old forward played for the Japanese national team it was at home, representing at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. On that occasion, he averaged 22.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. He previously averaged 13.3 points per encounter at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
Alongside the Los Angeles Lakers player, other key names like Yuta Watanabe, Yuki Kawamura, Yuki Togashi, Makoto Hiejima, and the 23-year-old Keisei Tominaga were called up to make it to the extended Japanese roster. Despite leading the national team in scoring with 21.0 points per game at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Josh Hawkinson didn’t make it to the list.
Getting to Paris 2024 as the Asian national team able to rank higher in last year’s competition – 19th-classified team in general -, Japan will participate in Group B, against France, and Germany, and the winner of this year’s FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia. The Women’s side will also be part of Paris 2024 after winning the silver medal at home in 2021.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA
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