Japan’s Rui Hachimura Opts to Skip FIBA World Cup With NBA Free Agency Looming

• Rui Hachimura has decided not to play in this year’s 2023 FIBA World Cup
• He cited his looming free agency as the main reason behind his withdrawal
• His main focus is on training and getting himself ready for the 2023/24 season

Rui Hachimura will not be playing in this year’s FIBA World Cup.

The 25-year-old has decided to skip the quadrennial event this summer and will instead focus on his preparation for the upcoming NBA season.

It was a stunning blow to the Japanese, who are hosting this tournament alongside Indonesia and the Philippines.

Hachimura issued a statement via the Japan Basketball Association regarding his withdrawal, saying:

"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.”

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He added that it was a very difficult decision, but he made it in the best interests of his future NBA career.

Hachimura said he hopes to focus on training and preparing his body for next season. He took into consideration the fact that he will enter free agency for the first time in the NBA this offseason.

He will become a restricted free agent once the negotiation period officially starts this coming Friday, June 30, per Japan Times.

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The Los Angeles Lakers acquired him from the Washington Wizards via trade in the middle of last season.

He helped the Lakers reach the Western Conference Finals, where they lost in four games to eventual champion Denver Nuggets.

The good news for Japan is that Yuta Watanabe has confirmed his participation in this year’s FIBA World Cup.

Wembanyama to miss World Cup

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Sports Brief previously reported on Victor Wembanyama skipping the World Cup as he prepares for his rookie season with the San Antonio Spurs.

The No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA Draft was expected to bolster a French national side that finished as the runner-up at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Wembanyama clarified he had not turned his back on his country and explained he would be suiting up for his country for next year’s Olympics.