Wizards make Rui Hachimura 1st Japanese player ever in NBA 1st Round
Rui Hachimura poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the ninth overall pick by the Washington Wizards during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON (AP) - 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.