TOKYO (Japan) - One game might be a small sample size, but seeing Yuki Kawamura and Rui Hachimura play together once more proved to be enough to generate much excitement among Japanese fans.
"Our goal isn't just to win in Asia. Our goal is to win on the world stage."
It happened on Saturday night, when the national team stars suited up and helped the traditional Asian contenders beat Korea, 88-68, before a good crowd at the Ariake Coliseum to start their weekend tuneups on a high note.
The sweet-shooting Hachimura, in his first game back for the men's team in about two years, led the way with 22 points, including 9 in their 11-0 start to the ball game as his hot start did set the tone for the rout.
And helping facilitate that was the crafty Kawamura, who eventually finished the ball game with 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 6 assists plus 1 steal to his name in the 17 minutes he was utilized by Coach Dai Oketani.
As a matter of fact, Kawamura's first assist in this game was to none other than Hachimura, who then converted his first three-pointer of the game - much of course to the appreciation of the live audience.
The exhibition series against their East Asian neighbors serves as part of Japan's preparations for Window 4 of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers. Japan also won the second game, 95-66.
Kawamura played and Hachimura rested in that game presumably to preserve him for bigger battles, yet hopes have remained high for the team's future, as what the former expressed by the end of the series.
"Our goal isn't just to win in Asia. Our goal is to win on the world stage," he said to the fans in Japanese.
Head coach Dai Oketani also has high expectations for the AKATSUKI JAPAN lineup moving forward, especially with Kawamura and Hachimura at his disposal - it is his first time working with the latter in the men's team.
"I really believe we have our strongest possible group of players together," said Oketani in Japanese.
The celebrated duo could be seeing action in Window 4.
And if ever they do, they will make Team Japan all the more difficult to contain for opposing defenses, having offered a glimpse of how good the team could be when they're at front and center.
A prime example would be the Paris Olympics in 2024.
They may have fallen short in racking up a win but there was no denying how impressive Japan was against some of the world's best, most especially against France in a bout that rocked the whole Pierre Mauroy Stadium.
Les Bleus ultimately came out on top by way of a 94-90 decision in overtime - and eventually went all the way to the Final - but not before surviving a major scare from the East Asian side, led by the very same tandem.
Kawamura did a little bit of everything and finished with a game-high 29 points, spiked by 6 triples, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Hachimura, for his part, rifled in 24 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the floor.
Here are their stats from their games in Paris:
Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Efficiency | Minutes | Games played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rui Hachimura | 22.0 | 6.5 | 1.0 | 17.0 | 32.2 | 2 |
Yuki Kawamura | 20.3 | 3.3 | 7.7 | 17.3 | 29.7 | 3 |
Soon, we may see these two play on the FIBA stage again.
Both Hachimura and Kawamura are named to the 17-man training camp roster Japan have put together for the new window ahead, which could potentially be their strongest in the ongoing World Cup Qualifiers cycle.
At 4-2, they're already one of the best squads entering the Second Round opener, and having players of such caliber shall easily make them a heavy favorite in a stacked Group F that features serious contenders.
Aside from their fellow Group B teams from the First Round in China and Korea, in the group as well are Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, who despite being the 2027 World Cup hosts are eyeing to pull off upsets.
Group | Qualified | In Contention | Eliminated |
E |
| Australia, Iran, Jordan, New Zealand, Philippines, Syria |
|
F |
| Japan, China, Korea, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia |
|
If ever they do get lined up, it would be their first taste of the 2027 World Cup Qualifiers. But what's scary, really, is that this very stage is nothing new to these men, having been here in the previous editions
Hachimura, for one, played for a total of 4 games during the 2019 cycle from the end of the First Round to the start of Round 2. They won all those bouts, including a 79-78 stunner of no less than Australia.
Japan started World Cup Qualifiers 2019 with 4 consecutive losses. Then, in Rui Hachimura's senior national team debut on June 29, 2018, Japan won their first game against Australia in Chiba.
They went on an 8-game winning streak to finish the World Cup Qualifiers, eventually earning themselves a spot at the World Cup in China.
Kawamura, after making his men's team debut in the Asia Cup 2022, then helped Japan during the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers, which served as a training ground since they were co-hosts of the continental meet.
Still, they made it a point to perform, ultimately finishing at 3rd in Group F with a 7-5 record. He'd go on to co-lead Japan in finishing as the best Asian team in the World Cup itself, which led to a trip to the French capital.
Imagine what they could do in Window 4.
"Looking ahead to our games against Saudi Arabia and Qatar later this month, I want us to continue building our chemistry as a team, and hopefully I can play well and contribute," said Kawamura.
But while all of Japan - and perhaps most of Asia - are excited, some are looking forward as well to seeing how this likely on-court reunion would contribute to their dynamic once they return to the USA.
Kawamura signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Los Angeles Clippers last August 9. It happened a month after the team signed Hachimura to a 2-year, $ 28-million deal following the end of his stay with the LA Lakers.
The development came weeks after the NBA Summer League came to a close, in which the diminutive PG became a fan favorite with the Indiana Pacers with averages of 8.2 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.
Even though he's on a non-guaranteed, one-season deal with the Clippers, there remains a lot of possibilities in this upcoming season, one of which, of course, is his team-up with Hachimura on an NBA floor.
But their focus, for now, is potentially representing flag and country with Japan, hoping of course to help the proud program reach the World Cup for the 3rd consecutive time.
And that could start in Window 4.
FIBA