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NBA All-Star Weekend isn’t just about most of the league’s top players hanging out for a few days and playing exhibitions. They are networking events as well. And for Rui Hachimura is definitely the case.
Besides playing in the Rising Stars Game last Friday where he went for dunk after dunk,
Hachimura also got to hangout with Memphis Grizzlies swingman Yuta Watanabe, a George Washington Colonials alum and Texas Legends guard Yudai Baba. All three are members of the Japanese men’s national basketball team, which will host the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo this summer.
ファミリー pic.twitter.com/RWS85kdpLw
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 15, 2020
Hachimura didn’t just hang out with Moritz Wagner and Davis Bertans. He was also at community services events with NBA legends like Allen Iverson.
A classic #NBAAllStar video. @rui_8mura taking on a young baller, with @alleniverson watching pic.twitter.com/yFud99lFgt
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 15, 2020
Two cultural icons. pic.twitter.com/vEreA7PQOj
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 15, 2020
Los Angeles Lakers point guard LeBron James also had a chance to speak about Hachimura during media day availability for the All-Star players. He is optimistic about the rookie’s trajectory.
"Very poised, you can tell that he spent some years in college to develop his game... I think he's going to be a really good player in our league."
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 15, 2020
LeBron James on his impression of Rui Hachimura. pic.twitter.com/vmYTe83D6E
The Wizards will host the Lakers on Saturday, Mar. 28. Though Hachimura probably won’t defend LeBron right away or vice versa, it will be fun to see the two exchange greetings before and after ... a Wizards W!