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The Wizards selected Rui Hachimura with the ninth pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Hachimura played three years for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, who advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
In the 2018-19 season, Hachimura averaged 19.7 points and 6.5 rebounds for the Bulldogs. He is still a raw prospect, but appears to have the drive to develop into a quality NBA player. Though he may not be able to play much right away, it will be interesting to see what Washington does with Jabari Parker’s pending $20 million team option and Bobby Portis’ restricted free agency.
After Hachimura was drafted, Interim General Manager Tommy Sheppard and Head Coach Scott Brooks spoke to fans at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Congress Heights. Both were happy with the pick and liked the opportunity to have a player from a top rated program like Gonzaga.
Tommy Sheppard and Scott Brooks talk about drafting Rui Hachimura from the Mystics’ arena and practice facility.#DCFamily pic.twitter.com/iDkBUbD33N
— Bullets Forever (@BulletsForever) June 21, 2019
Welcome to Washington, D.C. Rui!