Throughout the past few weeks, speculation circulated about who the Washington Wizards would pick with the 9th overall pick in the NBA Draft. Prospect names such as Cam Reddish, Nassir Little, and even international player Sekou Doumbouya were frequently in the mix leading up to Draft night.
Although all three players remained available in the top 10, the Wizards went in a direction that many were not expecting with the selection of Gonzaga forward Rui Hachimura. The pick was also one for the history books making him the first Japanese-born player ever to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft.
At the Wizards Draft Party, the crowd slowly reacted to the news, and it was clear that fans were unsure how to feel. Hachimura is seemingly a talented player who just finished a breakout season at Gonzaga, leading them to the Sweet 16. In his final collegiate season, he averaged 20 points and six rebounds per game on 60 percent shooting from the field.
Despite the mixed emotions about their selection, this wasn’t a forced situation, the team had their eye on Hachimura for awhile. The Wizards front office is confident they found a player that will add value to their roster.
Tommy Sheppard on Rui Hachimura: “The potential for him to be able to be several things that we need defensively, offensively, and the fact that he’s a late bloomer is really intriguing to us.” #Wizards #WizDraft pic.twitter.com/vKCnfnFIcN
— Carita Parks (@CaritaCParks) June 21, 2019
“We’re happy,” Coach Brooks said. “I love the fact that I talked to [Gonzaga Head Coach Mark Few] this morning and he told me a few things that are very important to me as a coach that you want in a player: he works, he works everyday. He said you’re never going to ever worry about him in that area. He has the talent, and with that work ethic, we feel that we can have a really good two-way player.”
Projected to be selected at No. 18, Hachimura believes his game brings versatility to the Wizards team.
“I think I can play defense. Both sides, defense and offense,” Hachimura said. “I think I can impact the game. I can get rebounds and push the ball. I can shoot. I can pass. I think I can help the team a lot.”
A bulk of the Wizards trouble last season was their inability to consistently rebound and play solid defense. Washington is hoping Hachimura is a player they can develop and who can also contribute immediately. With John Wall’s Achilles injury still looming, the team needed to add someone who can relieve the pressure that’s been placed on Bradley Beal.
“We think he has the potential [to be first year rotation ready], but it’s not going to come overnight,” said Shepphard. “I think we really have to manage him and be patient especially for somebody that has been speaking English for three years. His basketball game is a universal language. He plays well. I think everybody is really going to enjoy watching him develop. He’s a really neat kid.”
Already garnering comparisons to Kawhi Leonard, only time will tell if Hachimura can make that kind of impact on a Wizards franchise that can certainly use a boost. If so, tonight will go down in history in more ways than one.