By Aris Barkas/barkas@eurohoops.net
Lille, France– Returning to the senior national team of Japan after sitting out the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Rui Hachimura struggled against the defense of Germany on Saturday. Opening the preliminary round of the 2024 Olympic Games, Japan lost the Group B contest in Lille.
“We practiced the whole week and prepared for them. Their defense won the World Cup last year,” he referred to Germany capturing gold in the World Cup last summer, “They are a good team, but I think we fought through and my team did a very good job. I am proud of everybody.”
Hachimura, 26, scored a team-high 20 points but was limited to 4/19 field goals. With ten rebounds, he posted a double-double.
“We know we are organized, so we have got to get together,” he added on the performance of Japan, “We have some three-point shooters, so everybody has to get together once everybody comes in the game. We have got to know what we are doing. I think we fought through the whole game.”
👏🇩🇪 Germany starts with the right foot beating Japan by 20 points! pic.twitter.com/KDZ718brdR
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) July 27, 2024
Coming out of the 2022-23 campaign in the NBA, including a midseason trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, Hachimura did not represent his country last summer.
“I was not able to beat a part of the World Cup team, but they qualified for the Olympics. I was so happy about it,” he said, “I am so happy that we are back here again and represent our country.”
Moving to Gameday 2 of Group B, Japan takes on France on Tuesday.
“We have not prepared for them,” confessed Hachimra, “We were focused on this team, Germany. We have got to start watching the film.”
Wrapping up the round-robin schedule and hoping to battle for a berth in the Quarterfinals, Japan faces Brazil on Friday.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL