The FIBA World Cup begins this weekend with Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura representing Japan in the world classic. If the Japanese are to advance to the knockout stages, Hachimura can’t do everything by himself. Here are three of his teammates on the Japanese team who you should know about.
Watanabe is a 6’10 forward who should be familiar to D.C. area college basketball fans. He played at George Washington and was the 2017-18 Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year. Watanabe has a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.