The Los Angeles Lakers are entering the 2024 Summer Olympics with a stronger presence than a vast majority of NBA teams, Anthony Davis and LeBron James are two of the top stars with Team USA, and have already begun to establish their place as lead performers on a decorated roster.
While all eyes are understandably on Los Angeles' star duo, there's another Laker who's showing out in international play to less fanfare: Rui Hachimura.
Hachimura is peparing for a historic appearance with Japan at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Widely regarded as the best player on the roster, he's helped the men's basketball team experience a stunning resurgence on the international stage.
In 2024, Japan's men's basketball team will be making a second consecutive appearance at the Olympics—the first time it's accomplished that feat since 1972 and 1976.
Regardless of how the Olympic games play out for Japan, Hachimura leading them this far is a tremendous achievement. They've turned to him in the clutch as a scorer, and have seen their team identity transformed by his ability to push the pace and finish inside.
Japan will now look to shock the world in perhaps the most stacked group on the Olympic stage.
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura is leading Japan to new heights
Group B consists of Brazil, France, Germany, and Japan. France and Germany are candidates to medal as incredibly talented sides with multiple NBA players, while Brazil is never an easy out with Olympic experience, and current and former Association pros of their own.
Japan faces a tall task in attempting to make it through arguably the most talented group in the tournament, but Hachimura has looked up to the task of leading them.
Hachimura made an early statement against Germany in an exhibition game, dropping 19 points and five rebounds in what was an admittedly lopsided loss. Japan also fell by a comfortable margin to Serbia, but Hachimura went off to the tune of 29 points.
It was an example of the explosive scoring ability that the Lakers know as much about as anyone, as well as the untapped potential that head coach JJ Redick will look to explore in 2024-25.
For Los Angeles, seeing Hachimura thrive on the international stage offers a reminder of what made him such a captivating acquisition in the first place. At 6'8" and 230 pounds with a 7'2" wingspan, he's the physical prototype for either forward position.
Hachimura has also shown signs of being a remarkable shooter, converting upwards of 42.2 percent of his three-point field goals in two of his five NBA seasons.
The hurdle has been finding consistency, as Hachimura shot 32.8 percent or worse from beyond the arc in his other three NBA seasons. The hope in Los Angeles is that his play with Japan will translate to the Association, where he'll be expected to take a step forward in 2024-25.
Perhaps Redick is the coach who can help Hachimura remember who he was when he helped the Lakers reach the Western Conference Finals—or perhaps the Olympics will do that job for him.
