Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Rui Hachimura

Discover the career path of Rui Hachimura, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Rui Hachimura is a Japanese professional basketball player currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. He is a power forward who previously played college basketball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs and represents the Japan national team. Hachimura was drafted ninth overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2019 NBA draft. His performance earned him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2020. He was traded to the Lakers during the 2022-2023 season.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1981: Second Japanese Player Drafted

In 1981, Yasutaka Okayama was drafted 171st overall into the NBA, making him the first Japanese-born player to be drafted. Rui Hachimura was the second.

December 29, 2013: Hachimura Leads Meisei High to Victory

On December 29, 2013, Rui Hachimura led the Meisei High School basketball team to victory in the All-Japan High School Tournament, scoring 32 points in a 92–78 win.

2013: FIBA Asia U16 Championship

At the 2013 FIBA Asia U16 Championship in Iran, Rui Hachimura averaged 22.8 points, 12.6 rebounds and 2.8 blocks, guiding his team to a third-place finish.

April 2014: Albert Schweitzer Tournament

In April 2014, Rui Hachimura played the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Germany with Japan's under 18 national team, finishing in last place.

2014: Meisei High School Wins Again

In 2014, Rui Hachimura helped his team win the All-Japan High School Tournament for a second straight year.

2014: FIBA U17 World Championships

Japan finished the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championships 14th of 16 teams, with Rui Hachimura scoring a tournament-high 22.6 points per game.

April 2015: Invitation to Jordan Brand Classic

In April 2015, Rui Hachimura was invited to the Jordan Brand Classic, where he recorded nine points and five rebounds in the International Game.

November 21, 2015: Signs with Gonzaga Bulldogs

On November 21, 2015, Rui Hachimura signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the US.

December 29, 2015: Third All-Japan Tournament Victory

On December 29, 2015, Rui Hachimura scored 34 points, 19 rebounds, and three blocks to lead Meisei past Tsuchiura Nihon University High School for his third All-Japan Tournament victory.

November 11, 2016: Gonzaga Debut

On November 11, 2016, Rui Hachimura made his regular season debut for the Gonzaga Bulldogs against Utah Valley, becoming the fifth Japanese-born player to ever play NCAA Division I basketball.

February 23, 2017: Helps Win WCC Title

On February 23, 2017, Rui Hachimura scored eight points against San Diego, helping his team win the West Coast Conference (WCC) title.

March 16, 2017: NCAA Tournament Appearance

On March 16, 2017, Rui Hachimura became the first Japanese native to ever appear in the NCAA Division I men's tournament after playing one minute against South Dakota State.

2017: Gonzaga Season

During the 2017–18 campaign, Rui Hachimura played in 37 games for Gonzaga, averaging 11.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per contest.

2017: FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup

Rui Hachimura competed for Japan in the 2017 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup, averaging team-bests 20.6 points and 11.0 rebounds.

November 6, 2018: Season Opener

On November 6, 2018, Rui Hachimura started the regular season by scoring 33 points in a 120–79 win over Idaho State.

November 21, 2018: Upset Victory Over Duke

On November 21, 2018, Rui Hachimura recorded 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists to help upset No. 1-ranked Duke in the Maui Invitational finals and was named MVP of the tournament.

April 15, 2019: Declares for NBA Draft

On April 15, 2019, Rui Hachimura announced that he would forgo his final year of eligibility and declared for the 2019 NBA draft.

October 23, 2019: NBA Debut

On October 23, 2019, Rui Hachimura made his NBA debut, posting a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds) for the Washington Wizards in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

December 1, 2019: Career-High 30 Points

On December 1, 2019, Rui Hachimura scored a then career-high 30 points in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

December 2019: First Japanese Players Face Each Other in NBA

In December 2019, Rui Hachimura and Yuta Watanabe became the first pair of Japanese players to face each other in the NBA. Rui Hachimura also suffered a groin injury against the Detroit Pistons, requiring surgery.

2019: FIBA World Cup Qualification

In a qualification round for the 2019 FIBA World Cup, Rui Hachimura scored 25 points to help Japan defeat Iran 70–56.

2020: Tokyo Olympics

During the preliminary round of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Rui Hachimura scored a game high 34 points in a loss to Slovenia.

March 30, 2021: Ties Career High of 30 Points

On March 30, 2021, Rui Hachimura tied his then career high of 30 points in a loss to the Charlotte Hornets.

January 9, 2022: Season Debut After Absence

On January 9, 2022, Rui Hachimura made his season debut, recording six points and three rebounds in a win over the Orlando Magic.

2022: Hachimura's season

For the 2022-2023 season, Hachimura averaged 11.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and shot 48.6% on field goals.

January 21, 2023: Last Game Before Trade

On January 21, 2023, in his last game before being traded from the Washington Wizards, Rui Hachimura recorded a then career-high-tying 30 points in a win over the Orlando Magic.

January 23, 2023: Traded to Los Angeles Lakers

On January 23, 2023, Rui Hachimura was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Kendrick Nunn and three second-round draft picks.

July 6, 2023: Re-Signs with the Lakers

On July 6, 2023, Rui Hachimura re-signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.

December 9, 2023: NBA In-Season Tournament Win

On December 9, 2023, Rui Hachimura and the Los Angeles Lakers won the inaugural season of the NBA In-Season Tournament (also known as the NBA Cup).

2023: Vital Part of Lakers Rotation

During the 2023 NBA playoffs, Rui Hachimura became a vital part of the Lakers rotation, contributing significantly to both offense and defense, including guarding Nikola Jokić. The Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals.

2023: Withdrawal from FIBA World Cup

Rui Hachimura was called up for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, but ultimately withdrew citing exhaustion and the need to prepare for the NBA season.

February 14, 2024: Career High in Points

On February 14, 2024, Rui Hachimura set a new career high of 36 points in a victory over the Utah Jazz.

2024: Scoring Averages

In 2024-25 his scoring average remained steady at 13.1 ppg while his two-point percentage was 50.1% and his three-point percentage was 41.3. The most points he scored in a game was 24 which he did in a 124-117 win over the Indiana Pacers and in a 123-116 loss to the Golden State Warriors on April 3. In a first-round playoff loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, he scored 14.8 points-per-game while shooting 49.1% on two-pointers and 48.4% on three-pointers.

December 4, 2025: First Game-Winning Buzzer-Beater

On December 4, 2025, Rui Hachimura made the first game-winning buzzer-beater of his career, scoring 12 points and hitting the three-pointer as time ran out to give the Lakers a 123–120 win over the Toronto Raptors.