Team USA basketball has been gearing up for a run at an Olympic gold medal, and at times, it has looked excellent during its exhibition games in recent days. LeBron James and Anthony Davis, in particular, have turned things up a notch when needed and have played very well.
But James and Davis aren’t the only Los Angeles Lakers players who are preparing for the summer games in Paris, which will begin just days from now.
Forward Rui Hachimura recently decided to suit up for his native Japan in this year’s Olympics. He made his first appearance in an exhibition game on Friday versus Germany, and he scored 19 points while flashing his all-around offensive skills.
Rui Hachimura today vs Germany
19 Points
5 Rebounds
2 Assists
6/13 FG
25 Minutes pic.twitter.com/ARzZwokQ2o— Lakers Empire (@LakersEmpire) July 20, 2024
On Sunday, he raised his game to a higher level with 29 points and some hot 3-point shooting versus Serbia.
Rui Hachimura Highlights vs Serbia July 21, 2024
29 Points
4 Rebounds
65% FG
5/8 from three pic.twitter.com/tBTaAhSEUv— Lakers Empire (@LakersEmpire) July 21, 2024
Hachimura played very well for the Lakers once he moved into the starting lineup for good in the middle of this past season. Head coach JJ Redick appears to have some ambitious plans for him, as Redick wants him to shoot more 3-pointers, move without the basketball more and crash the offensive boards more often.
