Rising Stars Challenge Player Grades: Washington Wizards Rui Hachimura and Moritz Wagner shine

Rui Hachimura

You could say Team World’s fast start was the work of Rui Hachimura. Making the first-ever appearance by a Japanese player in the Rising Stars Challenge – and starting, no less – Hachimura wasted no time showing why he belonged as a historic selection to the squad.

With three straight buckets on three straight possessions for Team World in the first quarter, Hachimura helped build the momentum for the international squad. And how was Rui getting it done? How he always does…strong plays at the rim.

Unfortunately, Rui couldn’t stretch his scoring streak to four straight possessions and failed to convert an alley-oop during the next trip down the floor.

Later in the first quarter, Rui had a chance to show off some range after a sweet pass from Luka Doncic found him wide open behind the arc, but he missed that one, too. Three-pointers aren’t Rui’s strength, as he’s only shooting 23.6 percent from deep this season. He missed it…badly.

The scoring continued in the second quarter, where Rui even showed a bit of defense and broke up an alley-oop attempt intended for Zion Williamson. Who says a showcase can’t have a little defense, huh?!

And Hachimura brought another unfamiliar sight to the exhibition game floor, a mid-range jumper. *GASP* Usually, these games are filled with highlights, but Hachimura couldn’t help but unleash his specialty on Team USA. After clanking an elbow jumper early in the second quarter, Hahcimura grabbed an offensive board and then knocked down a silky turn around. Maybe it was a mid-range, but it was still highlight-reel worthy.

Hachimura finished the first half with 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists. He was one of the game’s leading scorers and looked like he had a good shot at the MVP award. But like the rest of Team World, he fizzled a bit in the second half. He grabbed a few more boards and dropped another dime, but only one more bucket. And Devonte’ Graham hit a three in his eye. Rui’s had better second halves, to say the least.

All in all, it was a nice showing for the Wizards’ rookie and Japan’s first-ever Rising Star. He won’t be stealing headlines from the game’s biggest names after this one, but he deserves to be considered one of his draft class’s best.