These are not two well-known basketball powerhouses, but it is something.
Neither of these teams will make noise at the upcoming FIBA World Cup, but these highlights present some good signs for Wizards fans.
Quick look at Rui Hachimura's 31-point outing in Japan's exhibition win over Germany. Polished mid-range scorer who gets to inside-the-arc pull-ups on command. 2-for-3 from distance is a good sign for the Wizards rookie, especially the above-the-break, on-the-hop 3. pic.twitter.com/bHeMhFHa1c
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz)
August 25, 2019 Why is this a good sign? This is a young player doing very well on a big stage in front of a raucous crowd of 18,355 in his home country. All of that takes moxy, an attribute coveted around professional sports.
Washington's 21-year-old rookie added five rebounds and two steals.
Former George Washington University standout
Yuta Watanabe (a two-way player for the Memphis Grizzlies) added 20 points, six boards, and two steals for the home side.
Hachimura did not play in Japan's final tune-up game before the World Cup, a 78-76 loss to Tunisia.
Washington made Hachimura the
first Japanese-born player to be taken in the first round of the NBA Draft earlier this summer, taking him with the 9th overall pick.
