Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura will miss Japan’s final two FIBA World Cup games because of knee discomfort and general fatigue, it was announced.
“While everyone had hoped for Rui to finish the World Cup with Team Japan, the Wizards and Japan Basketball believe it is best for Rui to not play the final two games and have a short period of rest before he must start NBA training camp with the Wizards which begins only three weeks from now,” the Japanese Basketball Association said in a statement released through Washington.
Hachimura’s departure from Japan comes after he was held to four points on 2 for 8 shooting in a 98-45 loss to the U.S. on Thursday. Japan plays New Zealand on Saturday and wraps up with Montenegro on Monday.
Hachimura was the No. 9 overall pick by the Wizards in June’s NBA draft.