Rui Hachimura is a big deal at Gonzaga, and not just because of the 21.9 points he’s averaging for the No. 1 ranked Bulldogs. Every time the 6'8" forward visits the school’s English Language Center, the building buzzes with the entrance of the superstar. Less than three years ago, Hachimura arrived from Japan with a very limited grasp of English. Now, he’s practically fluent—and particularly fond of dropping f-bombs.
On a sunny day in early October, the center’s faculty invited Hachimura to speak to beginner students to model what can be accomplished through hard work and study. The story of Hachimura’s linguistic success at the center has already crossed borders.