NBA 2019-20: 5 Bold predictions for Rookie of the Year

#2 Rui Hachimura

Rui is the first Japanese player ever to be drafted in the first round

After Yasutaka Okayama, the 21-year-old Hachimura is only the second player born in Japan to have been drafted by the league. In his latest year at Gonzaga, Rui averaged 19.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game before declaring for the NBA draft.

The 2019 WCC Player of the Year led Gonzaga in scoring and also helped upset No. 1-ranked Duke in the Maui Invitational finals - where he was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Moreover, the 6-foot-9 power forward suited up for Japan during the FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup in 2017 and ended up averaging team-bests 20.6 points and 11.0 rebounds per contest. He possesses the length and athleticism needed to make a sustainable contribution to the Wizards franchise.

Recently, Hachimura fired up the home crowd with his thunderous dunks in a friendly WC tune-up game against Argentina, where he had 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

SHEESH, RUI! 🇯🇵🇯🇵🇯🇵@JAPANBASKETBALL x @rui_8mura pic.twitter.com/EXv0PUJPgs

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) August 22, 2019