REGENSBURG (David Hein's Eye on the Future) - Rui Hachimura is undergoing a major transformation tucked away in the upper northwest of the United States. The Gonzaga University freshman is re-learning the game of basketball in a way that will help him - and Japan's senior men's national team - over the long term.

Hachimura is one of a special trio of international prospects that the Zags brought in for this season, all of them with different timetables for when they were expected to assist the program.

Killian Tillie has played as well as advertised for the last remaining undefeated team in NCAA basketball. The Frenchman, who was the MVP of FIBA U16 European Championship 2014 but has struggled to stay healthy since then, is averaging 4.6 points and 3.6 rebounds, pretty much what Zags coaches were hoping for if he could stay on the court.

Head coach Mark Few and Co. had lower expectations for Jacob Larsen as they believed the Danish big man would help them later in his stay in Spokane. But Larsen suffered a season-ending knee injury in Gonzaga's fourth practice of the season.

Hachimura, meanwhile, has been dealing with various transitions. Not only is he dealing with being in another country and culture, but the 18-year-old is also taking collegiate courses in English, a language with which he struggled just a couple years ago.

On top of that is the change Hachimura is going through on the court.

He is a bit thicker since the time most people last saw him. He has grown at least one inch (to 6-foot-8 or 2.04m) and added about 20 pounds (to 225 pounds or 102 kilos) to his frame since his arrival at Gonzaga in May. And Zags coaches spent his first two-thirds of a year with the program helping him change his look on the game.

"Here, he's had to learn how to move without the ball and play off his teammates. He's learning how to do the little things that make the team game flow better."

Hachimura is also playing a different position in college than he did in Japan, where he was always in the post because he was usually taller than anyone else on the court.

He (Hachimura) has had to kind of re-learn how to be a basketball player because in Japan growing up he was always the center of the game and everything was built around him." - Lloyd

He is playing both forward positions for the Zags, but Lloyd said Hachimura's long-term spot will be small forward - something most people at the Japanese Basketball Federation (JBA) agree with down the road.

"We are working with him daily on the skills that will be required to be a full-time perimeter player," Lloyd said.

Through Gonzaga's first 17 games - all victories - Hachimura has played in 13 contests, averaging 2.1 points and 2.0 rebounds while shooting 39 percent from the field, including missing all seven of his three-point attempts.

"Rui has made huge progress and we feel it's only a matter of time until he makes his presence on the court felt consistently," Lloyd said.

Hachimura has wowed Zags fans with his athleticism when he does get to contribute on offense. His best game came against Mississippi Valley State in late November when he scored 10 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. He also collected 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 assist against Bryant in mid-November.

Ciao, sono Rui Hachimura e da grande voglio fare l'Antetokounmpo. pic.twitter.com/DCMwJcpeBW

— Nicolò Ciuppani (@NickRamone) December 23, 2016

"He is gaining valuable experience, learning how to play hard and play with intensity on a daily basis," Lloyd said. "We have big plans for Rui in the future and are excited to watch him grow on a daily basis."

The Japanese basketball leaders are also closely watching Hachimura's development since he is the country’s most-prized young talent. It seems that if he continues on this path that he could play a major factor for Japan at the FIBA U19 World Championship 2017.

Japan U19 head coach Torsten Loibl flew to Spokane at the end of last year to see Hachimura and talk with his coaches. Hachimura was dealing with a slight injury and did not play. But the coach is pleased with the young star's development.

"What I have always loved about him is his character: always positive, humble and open minded. He is just a great guy who understands success is not a god-given gift. It is something he works for very hard every day on and off the court," Loibl said.

While Gonzaga fans are getting a first-hand glimpse of Hachimura’s development, international fans will have to wait until the summer when Japan hopes a transformed Rui Hachimura can help Nippon pull off a surprise or two at the FIBA U19 World Championship 2017 in Cairo.

David Hein

FIBA

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