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Rui Hachimura continues to mature with Team Japan in friendly win over Germany

The Wizards forward led Japan to an upset over Germany last Saturday and is now the team’s leader despite his young age.

By Albert Lee
Japan v Tunisia - Basketball International Games
Rui Hachimura is coming up big in Japan’s exhibition performances before the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
Photo by Takashi Aoyama/Getty Images

Wizards rookie forward Rui Hachimura hasn’t played an NBA regular season yet. But the Japanese national is quickly establishing his place as the face of the men’s national team and the sport in his country.

Last Saturday, Japan played Germany in Saitama. Hachimura scored 31 points in an 86-83 comeback win. You can watch the highlights below.

Neither the Japanese or Germans are medal favorites in the FIBA World Cup, which starts on Saturday, Aug. 31. However, Hachimura is already showing great poise and leading his team over a consistent EuroBasket caliber team like Germany.

We will certainly talk more about the FIBA World Cup and Japan’s prospects for a strong performance this week. But I am certainly encouraged by the way Hachimura approaches and performs on the court.