Not just Japan: Rui Hachimura wants Asia's basketball dream to grow bigger | TheBriefWire
Not just Japan: Rui Hachimura wants Asia's basketball dream to grow bigger
Published 23 June 2026 ยท sports
As teenagers from across Asia gathered inside Singapore's OCBC Arena for the NBA Rising Stars Invitational, Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura made it clear
As teenagers from across Asia gathered inside Singapore's OCBC Arena for the NBA Rising Stars Invitational, Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura made it clear that his vision extends beyond Japan. The first Japanese player drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft wants to inspire "the whole Asia" and create more pathways to the league, with Lauren Jackson and Hall of Famer Mitch Richmond echoing the importance of opportunities and grassroots development.
Published: June 23, 2026 โข 5:35 PM IST ยท Updated: June 23, 2026 โข 6:02 PM ISTBy TheBriefWire Editorial Team
Key points
As teenagers from across Asia gathered inside Singapore's OCBC Arena for the NBA Rising Stars Invitational, Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura made it clear that his vision extends beyond Japan.
The first Japanese player drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft wants to inspire "the whole Asia" and create more pathways to the league, with Lauren Jackson and Hall of Famer Mitch Richmond echoing the importance of opportunities and grassroots development.