Basketball: Hachimura hopes to end playing days with hometown Toyama club

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Basketball star Rui Hachimura, Japan's longest-serving NBA player, has expressed his ambition to conclude his basketball career with his hometown Toyama Grouses. Speaking in a video on social media, the 28-year-old indicated he hopes to play for the club toward the end of his career. Hachimura, who was born in Toyama, is set to commence his eighth NBA season following a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, signed in July after his time with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The towering forward demonstrated his commitment to Japan during an event in Kobe on August 5, stating his desire to finish his career in his home country. Hachimura recently made his comeback for Akatsuki Japan, a team he supports, scoring 22 points in a warm-up game against South Korea in Tokyo. The upcoming Asian qualifying window for the 2027 Basketball World Cup will see Japan guard Yuki Kawamura joining Hachimura in Clippers training camp next month, as Kawamura aims to secure a roster spot after free agency.