Quick Bytes
- Rui Hachimura excels for Japan in the Olympics before a calf injury.
- Hachimura ejected against France, still leads team scoring.
- Lakers’ new coach JJ Redick sees potential for Hachimura’s improvement.
Rui Hachimura’s Olympic Stint Cut Short by Injury
Rui Hachimura, the Los Angeles Lakers forward, has made a significant impact at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, leading Team Japan in scoring despite an early exit against France due to an ejection. His strong performance, however, was overshadowed by a calf injury that forced him to leave the tournament.
After a 94-90 overtime loss to France, Hachimura underwent an MRI that confirmed a gastrocnemius muscle injury. Adhering to NBA/FIBA rules, he prioritized early treatment and expressed his pride in contributing to Japanese basketball. With the Lakers’ training camp and the new NBA season on the horizon, Hachimura has a two-month window to recover fully.
Looking ahead, Lakers’ new head coach JJ Redick has high hopes for Hachimura’s development, encouraging him to increase his 3-point attempts and enhance his offensive rebounding. Redick envisions Hachimura’s potential as a cutter in the offensive system he plans to build, leveraging the player’s ability to score against mismatches.
