NBA Commissioner Adam Silver greets Japan’s Rui Hachimura, of Gonzaga, after the Washington Wizards selected him as the ninth pick overall in the NBA basketball draft Thursday, June 20, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
WASHINGTON — The Washington Wizards have made forward Rui Hachimura from Gonzaga the first Japanese player ever taken in the first round of the NBA draft, picking him ninth overall Thursday night.
The 6-foot-8, 235-pound junior averaged 19.7 points and 6.5 rebounds last season.
He is capable of playing either forward spot. The Wizards need plenty of help, particularly in the front court.
The Wizards — and whoever winds up in charge as the GM — have a lot of work to do to begin the process of righting the club after missing the playoffs while going 32-50.