bodyType

customContents

entityId

printArticlePageQuery

filter

article

body

urlAlias

articleSectionsContent

articleSeoArticle

articleSourceHeaderArticle

contentSchemaRenderContent

contentSubHeadlineContent

contentHeadlineContent

mainImagePrintArticleArticle

authorBlockPrintArticleArticle

contentSponsorTagContent

articlePianoPaywallContent

scmpYoutubeContent

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

query printArticlePageQuery(
  $entityId: String!
  $customContents: [CustomContentInput]
  $bodyType: BodyFormatTypeEnum
) {
  article(filter: {entityId: $entityId}) {
    entityId
    body(customContents: $customContents, type: $bodyType) {
      json
    }
    urlAlias
    ...articleSectionsContent
    ...articleSeoArticle_3o8td4
    ...articleSourceHeaderArticle
    ...contentSchemaRenderContent
    ...contentSubHeadlineContent
    ...contentHeadlineContent
    ...mainImagePrintArticleArticle
    ...authorBlockPrintArticleArticle
    ...contentSponsorTagContent
    ...articlePianoPaywallContent
    ...scmpYoutubeContent
    ...hooksTrackPageViewArticle
    id
  }
}

fragment articlePianoPaywallContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksPaywallPromiseContent
}

fragment articleSectionsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sections {
    value {
      ...helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection
      ...entityLink
      name
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment articleSeoArticle_3o8td4 on Article {
  ...hooksArticleSeoArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersGetArticleTypeArticle
  entityId
  publishedDate
  updatedDate
  summary {
    text
  }
  subHeadline {
    text
  }
  body(customContents: $customContents, type: $bodyType) {
    text
  }
  keywords
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  topics {
    name
    entityId
    id
  }
  urlAlias
  authors {
    name
    id
  }
  images {
    style(filter: {style: "768x768"}) {
      url
    }
  }
  readingTime
}

fragment articleSourceHeaderArticle on Article {
  urlAlias
  ...entityLink
}

fragment authorBlockPrintArticleArticle on Article {
  ...defaultArticleDateContent
  ...authorNamesArticle
}

fragment authorNameAuthor on Author {
  ...entityLink
  name
  entityUuid
}

fragment authorNamesArticle on Article {
  authorLocations
  authors {
    entityId
    location
    ...authorNameAuthor
    id
  }
}

fragment blockquoteQuoteContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment contentHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  socialHeadline
  ...contentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
}

fragment contentNewsletterWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
    id
  }
  sections {
    value {
      relatedNewsletters {
        ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
        id
      }
      id
    }
  }
  ... on Article {
    relatedNewsletters {
      ...helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment contentSchemaRenderContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...blockquoteQuoteContent
  ...imageContent
  ...inlineWidgetContent
  ...photoGalleryWidgetContent
  ...scmpYoutubeContent
}

fragment contentShareWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  shortUrl
  socialHeadline
  headline
}

fragment contentSponsorTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersUseContentSponsorContent
}

fragment contentSubHeadlineContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  subHeadline {
    json
  }
  summary {
    json
  }
  ...contentSchemaRenderContent
}

fragment defaultArticleDateContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...hooksArticleDateUtilsContent
}

fragment entityLink on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  __typename
  entityId
  entityUuid
  urlAlias
  urlRedirect {
    toUrl
    id
  }
  application {
    entityId
    id
  }
  ... on Section {
    fullSectionPath {
      entityId
      id
    }
    parentSection
  }
  ...helpersAppBarVariantBase
  ...helpersApplicationBase
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersAppBarVariantBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsLiveArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...helpersSectionContent
  ...helpersStyleSectionContent
}

fragment helpersApplicationBase on BaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias {
  __isBaseWithApplicationAndUrlAlias: __typename
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesPage
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusPage
}

fragment helpersCheckIfNewsSectionInFirstIndexSection on Section {
  name
}

fragment helpersCheckIsAmpEnabledArticle on Article {
  entityId
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  disableOffPlatformContent
  sponsorType
  published
  ...helpersCheckIsPlusArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
}

fragment helpersCheckIsLiveArticle on Article {
  flattenTypeIds
  liveArticle {
    status
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    paywallTypes {
      entityUuid
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPlusPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle on Article {
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersCheckIsPostiesPage on Page {
  urlAlias
}

fragment helpersCheckIsStyleArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  sections {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersGetArticleTypeArticle on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        entityId
        id
      }
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersMassageToNewsletterItemNewsletter on Newsletter {
  entityId
  name
  alternativeName
  description {
    text
  }
  summary {
    text
  }
  homepageDescription {
    text
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle on Article {
  authors {
    types
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle on Article {
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersStyleSectionContent on Section {
  fullSectionPath {
    entityId
    id
  }
}

fragment helpersUseContentSponsorContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  topics {
    entityId
    sponsor {
      ...sponsorTagSponsor
      name
      type
      id
    }
    id
  }
  ... on Article {
    sponsorType
  }
  ...helpersCheckIsMainTopicContent
}

fragment hooksArticleDateUtilsContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  createdDate
  publishedDate
  updatedDate
}

fragment hooksArticleSeoArticle on Article {
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsPostMagazineArticle
  ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  ...hooksContentHeadlineTagContent
  ...helpersCheckIsAmpEnabledArticle
  entityId
  headline
  socialHeadline
  types {
    value {
      entityId
      id
    }
  }
  authors {
    entityId
    id
  }
  images {
    generic_og: style(filter: {style: "og_image_scmp_generic"}) {
      url
    }
    styles(filter: {styles: ["og_image_posties_article", "og_postmag", "og_image_style", "og_image_scmp_analysis", "og_image_scmp_explainer", "og_image_scmp_editorial", "og_image_scmp_fact_check", "og_image_scmp_debate", "og_image_scmp_live", "og_image_scmp_obituary", "og_image_scmp_opinion", "og_image_scmp_review", "og_image_scmp_series", "og_image_scmp_generic"]}) {
      url
      style
    }
    type
  }
  urlAlias
}

fragment hooksContentHeadlineTagContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ... on Article {
    types {
      value {
        name
        entityId
        description {
          text
        }
        id
      }
    }
    ...helpersCheckIsStyleArticle
  }
  flag
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  ...hooksContentHelperContent
}

fragment hooksContentHelperContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...helpersSanitizeArticleTypeEntityIdsArticle
  ...helpersSanitizeAuthorTypesArticle
  ...helpersSanitizedAuthorEntityIdsArticle
  flag
}

fragment hooksPaywallPromiseContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  ...helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle
}

fragment hooksTrackPageViewArticle on Article {
  entityId
  publishedDate
  headline
  sections {
    value {
      name
      id
    }
  }
  urlAlias
  authors {
    name
    id
  }
  entityUuid
}

fragment imageContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  headline
  ...checkersCheckContentContainsStarlingImageContent
}

fragment inlineWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...contentNewsletterWidgetContent
}

fragment mainImagePrintArticleArticle on Article {
  images {
    title
    url
    isSlideshow
    size_652x446: style(filter: {style: "652x446"}) {
      url
    }
  }
}

fragment photoGalleryDialogContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  __typename
  ...contentShareWidgetContent
}

fragment photoGalleryWidgetContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  ...photoGalleryDialogContent
}

fragment scmpYoutubeContent on Content {
  __isContent: __typename
  entityId
  urlAlias
  publishedDate
}

fragment sponsorTagSponsor on Sponsor {
  name
  type
  images {
    url
  }
}


sections

types

disableOffPlatformContent

sponsorType

published

headline

socialHeadline

authors

images

publishedDate

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

keywords

topics

readingTime

authorLocations

entityUuid

Andrew McNicol

Rumoured to be on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games opening ceremony flag-bearer shortlist, history-making NBA player Rui Hachimura’s stock could explode in a month’s time.
The 23-year-old Japanese-Beninese forward is fresh off his best season so far with the Washington Wizards, where he gained plaudits from the likes of triple-double record-breaking teammate Russell Westbrook.
From “trying to hide from people” as a mixed child in Japan, to becoming the first Japanese player ever to be drafted in the first round of an NBA Draft, and brushing shoulders with Tokyo Games poster girl Naomi Osaka, it is no wonder “The Black Samurai” fits the profile for the biggest sporting event in the world after a year’s postponement.
Here’s what you need to know about the two-metre tall national team prospect dubbed as one of Asia’s best active NBA talents.


Biography
Rui Hachimura was born on February 8, 1998 in Toyama, Japan to a Beninese father and Japanese mother. Though he was originally funnelled into being a baseball player, he soon found his calling in basketball.
The former Meisei High School player brought them to three consecutive All-Japan tournament wins and very quickly established himself as a Japanese age-grade national team star.

⼋ pic.twitter.com/MTmKR1y1Op
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 23, 2021

By 2016, Hachimura was widely considered one of the best international college-level players. He soon joined NCAA division I college team Gonzaga Bulldogs, and would become the first Japanese national to play in a division I men’s tournament. He was a nominee for the Naismith College Player of the Year – awarded to the top men’s and women’s collegiate players – in his second year.
The Wizards picked Hachimura as the ninth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He was the first Japanese player to be drafted in the first round – Yasutaka Okayama was drafted by the Golden State Warriors in the eighth round in the 1981 Draft.
Hachimura finished with a double-double on his debut and proceeded to show glimpses of promise. However, the remainder of his first year would be ridden by various injuries. He nonetheless made the NBA All-Rookie second team by the end of the season. Hachimura’s injury struggles continued into his second season, but he eventually found consistency and improved upon virtually all of his statistics, and proved himself against the league’s best offensive players in the Play-offs.




















View this post on Instagram























A post shared by Rui “Louis” Hachimura 八村 塁 (@rui_8mura)



Family and race
Born to father Zakari Jabil of Benin and Makiko Hachimura of Japan, Hachimura has openly talked about his struggles with culture and identity. He has three younger siblings – his brother Allen is an aspiring university player in Japan.
“When I was a kid I was always trying to hide from people because I was kind of different from other people,” Hachimura said in an interview.
“It was really hard as a kid. I had a hard experience ... I think we were the only black family in the town ... As a mixed-race kid, growing up in Japan was very hard, you know.


“When I was a kid there weren’t many [mixed families], especially in my hometown – it’s small in the countryside.
“But I started playing basketball and sports and I was actually really good at it. I was more athletic than anybody else and I was good at everything: baseball, basketball, karate, soccer, track and field. That’s how people started to respect me more.”
Hachimura has since embraced his hybrid heritage, calling it “unique”, and hoped that fellow mixed-raced youngsters in Japan would do the same. However, in May he commented on his brother’s post screenshotting a racist message he received telling him to “die”, saying “I get this kind of thing almost every day”.




















View this post on Instagram























A post shared by Rui “Louis” Hachimura 八村 塁 (@rui_8mura)



Tokyo Games spotlight
With Japan automatically qualified for their home Games, coach Julio Lamas will be looking to his proven overseas stars to keep up with the world-class basketball competition. Japan have yet to win an Olympic medal in basketball.
While it will be extremely difficult to replicate his national youth statistics, Hachimura is joined by Yuta Watanabe and a wealth of domestic league players. He last helped Japan in the 2019 FIBA World Cup and will be put to the test against reigning world champions Spain, Argentina and another qualifying team still not determined.
What statistics and trends do not convey is the attention and pressure Hachimura will garner in Tokyo. But the experience will be valuable for his third NBA season transition, said Wizards general manager Tommy Sheppard.

BASKETBALL ACTION 2020
SHOWCASEに向けて、
八村塁選手からメッセージが届きました️

今回出場する弟の八村阿蓮選手(東海大3年)へのエールも@rui_8mura @allen_hachi @TOKAI_SEAGULLS_ #バスケで日本を元気に#超える力叶える力 pic.twitter.com/gNx59smDtr
— 日本バスケットボール協会(JBA) (@JAPANBASKETBALL) August 15, 2020

“[It’s] a great opportunity. A great stage, a whole different ball of wax for him pressure-wise to have the world watching and to play against some of the best teams in the world,” he told NBC.
As for the inevitable off-court frenzy, Hachimura is more than ready to follow former world No 1 tennis player, Japanese-Haitian Osaka, during the Games.
“There are a lot of mixed kids like me. There are a lot of mixed-race kids right now in Japan and I think there’s going to be a lot of kids representing Japan, so I’m excited to see those guys. I’m so excited. Tokyo is a really big city. It’s gonna be crazy,” he told the official Olympics website.

Wizards third-year
While Washington did not go very far in the postseason NBA Play-offs, it was impressive that they actually got there in the first place. They turned around an 11-loss deficit to finish 34-38 by the season’s end, with much of the credit going to nine-time NBA All-Star Westbrook.
Hachimura also secured his first Play-off double-double, something that new all-time NBA triple-double leader Westbrook would have been pleased with.
“Rui has to many different tools. He’s so good, so talented. My challenge to him is to be able to do it every night. I think that’s the most important thing to do in this league. When he’s able to do it at a level, we’re a much better team. We’re much better when he’s playing his best and leaving it out on the floor,” Westbrook told NBC.


Rui Hachimura: family and mixed-race heritage, making NBA history and potential Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games flag-bearer

Japanese basketball player Rui Hachimura in a match for the Washington Wizards against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Eastern Conference first round series at the Wells Fargo Centre, in Philadelphia in June. Photo: AFP

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 02: Russell Westbrook #4 of the Washington Wizards (C) speaks with teamnmates Daniel Gafford #21 and Rui Hachimura #8 during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Five of the Eastern Conference first round series at Wells Fargo Center on June 2, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

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Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

Asia

Profiles


The 23-year-old went from questioning identity as a child, to becoming the NBA’s only Japanese first-round draft pick
With all eyes on him in Tokyo, Hachimura’s Wizards team is confident he can embrace and thrive in the spotlight



The 23-year-old Washington Wizards player went from trying to hide his mixed-race identity as a child to becoming the NBA’s only Japanese first-round draft pick.


FIBA (International Basketball Federation)

NBA (National Basketball Association)

Rui Hachimura: family and mixed-race heritage, making NBA history and potential Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games flag-bearer

The 23-year-old went from questioning identity as a child, to becoming the NBA’s only Japanese first-round draft pick With all eyes on him in Tokyo, Hachimura’s Wizards team is confident he can embrace and thrive in the spotlight

The 23-year-old went from questioning identity as a child, to becoming the NBA’s only Japanese first-round draft pick

With all eyes on him in Tokyo, Hachimura’s Wizards team is confident he can embrace and thrive in the spotlight