Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura is officially back in the national team as he headlines Akatsuki Japan for the second straight Olympics.
Coming off their first official win for their Olympic buildup, the Japan Basketball Association have announced the final 12 for Akatsuki Japan set to compete in Paris 2024.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura is officially back in the national team as he headlines Akatsuki Japan for the second straight Olympics.
Joining Hachimura from Japan’s Tokyo 2020 squad are Yuki Togashi, Makoto Hiejima, Yuta Watanabe, Yudai Baba, and Hugh Watanabe.
Completing the lineup are Olympic first-timers Yuki Kawamura, Akira Jacobs, Kai Toews, Keisei Tominaga, Hirotaka Yoshii, and naturalized center Josh Hawkinson.
Coaching Akatsuki Japan is Tom Hovasse, who won the silver medal with the women’s team in Tokyo.
[Related: Akatsuki Japan aces Yuki Kawamura, Keisei Tominaga give NBA a shot via Exhibit 10 deals]
Japan is coming off an 88-80 win over South Korea at the conclusion of the SoftBank Cup 2024 in Tokyo. It was the team’s first win during their preparation games after two one-point losses to the Koreans and to Australia’s NBL Select Team.
Japan also fought the Australians to a draw in Hokkaido for the Nippon Life Cup 2024.
It is worth noting though that Hachimura and Watanabe haven’t played in the four games. Japan is scheduled another tuneup against Germany at the Berlin Basketball Festival later this month.
[Related: Brazil, Greece, Spain, Puerto Rico complete Paris 2024 basketball cast after FIBA OQT wins]
Following the confirmation of the 12 teams for Paris 2024, Japan is slotted in Group B with hosts France, FIBA World Champion Germany, and Brazil, who won the OQT in Riga, Latvia.
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Story Summary:
- The Japan Basketball Association unveil the final roster for Akatsuki Japan for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, featuring Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura and five other members of the Tokyo 2020 team.
- Coach Tom Hovasse, silver medallist with the women’s team in Tokyo, will lead Akatsuki Japan to Paris.
- Japan prepares for Paris 2024 in Group B alongside hosts France, Germany, and Brazil.
[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital team. The summary was generated by AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]