Japan’s Rui Hachimura passes on FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023

Free-agent-to-be forward Rui Hachimura has decided not to play at this summer’s FIBA World Cup, the Japan Basketball Association announced on Tuesday (27 June).

“I have decided to skip this year’s FIBA World Cup. All apologies for the disappointing news to the fans who were looking forward to the World Cup,” Hachimura said in a statement via the JBA.

“It was a very difficult decision but after the season and a long play-offs, and with my first free agency ahead of me, I made this decision in the best interests of my future NBA career. This summer, I hope to focus on the training and getting my body ready for next season.

“I want to thank everyone at the JBA and coach Tom Hovasse for their understanding. I really appreciate it. I wish the team nothing but success and will be their biggest fan.”

Hachimura will be a restricted free agent once the negotiation period officially begins on Friday. He was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in January from the Washington Wizards, who made him the first Japanese player to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft in 2019.

The 25-year-old was instrumental for the Lakers during the play-offs in reaching the Western Conference Finals, where they were swept by the eventual champion Denver Nuggets.

Japan, co-hosting the World Cup with the Philippines and Indonesia, is trying to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games via the 25 August-10 September tournament by finishing as Asia’s highest team.

Japan’s other NBA player, Watanabe Yuta, who is also headed for free agency, confirmed his World Cup participation via Twitter on Tuesday.

“It’s extremely disappointing not to be competing with Hachimura given his talent and presence,” Hovasse said. “But we have high hopes for all the players in our current squad, and will continue to work towards achieving our goal for qualiyfing for the Paris Olympics by becoming the No. 1 Asian team at the World Cup.

“We hope Rui continues to excel in the NBA and look forward to going to battle with him next year in Paris.”