Visiting Rui Hachimura's hometown of Toyama, Japan

The Washington Wizards' Japanese content team visited Rui Hachimura’s hometown of Toyama, Japan to interview local fans, media personnel, and his first basketball coach.

[@nairashvin]

I love that: "It's good to dream big. But the weight of that dream could weigh you down. So focus on each day."

[@bergen0802]

I agree. I am sure Rui carries the coach's wisdom.

[@ClementWilliamstheoneandonly]

I love the way his old coach speaks, full of wisdom that dude

[@DaffyTaffy93]

Yeah for real he has that inspirational way of speaking I swear it go me hyped lol

[@cacaf8989]

i wanna watch that anime

[@cyberpsykoh6686]

@@cacaf8989 imma spoil you man.. the second season is about Rui avenging his sensei..

[@kinggu9270]

He also looks like a particular anime coach but without glasses

[@dschdsch4388]

Zen master... like Phil Jackson???

[@ArJayDM]

As a blasian I get really emotional seeing how they accept him as a Japanese person. I've always felt this from my asian family as well

[@Pepilepsy]

Imagine not having just a state or a group of people behind you but an entire country rooting you on. The pressure but at the same time the love and inspiration he must feel. Im an American and im rooting Rui on.

[@cookj6899]

That shoe store is in every sports anime

[@GAYWEEDDAD420]

and the main character is always too poor to get the good shoes he wants and gets roasted by the rival

[@imrokwasiba9027]

Remember Slam dunk where sakuragi bougth jordan's.

[@stinkyuhoh999]

@@imrokwasiba9027 that’s a interesting way to say steal,lol

[@oluwaseyidada7641]

I know right... I can see Kagami Taiga walk in there

[@younanfakhoury8684]

Fax

[@just_some_bigfoot_hacking_you]

*Coach Sakamoto: **_"It's good to dream big, but the weight of that dream could weigh you down. So focus on each day."_* Great quote right there.

[@sahibsingh3529]

Future all star

[@crownwastaken]

his level as a rookie really shows, the worst thing that could happen is a D-Rose freak injury.

[@goatmorant2639]

Rui+westbrook now letsgoooo

[@naodtsegai3039]

Ow fuck no he averages 8 point a game

[@zachlol9701]

@@naodtsegai3039 bruh he averages 14 points per game and 6 rebounds, not bad for a rook. Also hes second in rookie rebounding stats

[@rose-ir6ub]

@@naodtsegai3039 i mean yo have a lavine profile pic. wtf u talking bout.

[@nofuture_at_all]

I can see that Rui is hardworking. He already had a good rookie season, I believe that his future with our team will be great. Next year, we will have a tour in Israel too.

[@FranciscoPerez-zr9wp]

He’s gonna be the most underrated from his draft class hope he keeps improving and proves he belongs in the nba he really good

[@khoado123]

can't hate this guy. Always has a smile on his face and what a rookie season for him too. He's gonna be an all star soon, he has all star potentials written all over him. 13.5 ppg 6 rebounds and 2 assists. What i'm surprised most is his FT. He shot 83% which is incredible. When he gets better with his 3 ball, he will be an unstoppable force

[@julietoscar1163]

Look how his being a hometown Hero and everyone are proud of him

[@GoldVibranium]

I wish more people in the DMV supported players this much

[@roarrrist]

@advancedapathy FACTS

[@glickstar1023]

idol culture in asia goes wild but the dmv just different

[@roarrrist]

@@glickstar1023 Bruh wtf is you doin with that Yui profile pic get away from her

[@GAYWEEDDAD420]

Bro they keep giving them drivers licenses what else you want from em

[@ciello___8307]

I feel like a homegrown talent from the DMV is what people need. rui is the pride of toyama because he's from there. If the wizards get a guy who grew up in the DMV I'm sure people would be a lot more excited

[@Munards]

We love Rui at DC. Let’s have a good season guys!

[@大塩平八郎-x4h]

富山県育ちとしては堪らない‥! Thank you Wizards 🙏✨

[@r_5747]

Why? It seems a lovely city.

[@詐欺店店長ぴろき]

ネトウヨ発見

[@崎浜大雅]

@@r_5747 The word (堪らない)mean I’m so happy . I'm sorry for my poor English.

[@Againstanyone]

Wizardo

[@yacchimbracket]

This one brought me to tears, too. So touching and heartwarming.

[@airikotori8293]

yaoming is better than him

[@alexk5631]

@@airikotori8293 better but not heart touching

[@vellstraus1555]

they are both great player

[@DeadlySashimi]

I come from the same hometown, so glad that it’s becoming recognised at a global scale

[@CobraMiura]

Have a long and healthy career in the NBA Rui. 頑張れ!!

[@Bi6M4C]

why are they so wholesome, it's insane in a good way :D

[@ruchashii3653]

this feels like an episode in an anime.

[@yonerida9742]

日本人としてこの動画は泣けるわー 本当に活躍することを心から願ってる！

[@DavidJohnson-dp4vv]

Look at that everyone is wearing a mask

[@samueltheman3012]

Why are you saying that

[@GAYWEEDDAD420]

And Japan has almost no new coronavirus cases.... Interesting

[@vellstraus1555]

@@GAYWEEDDAD420 well they are know for their dicipline so im expecting them like this

[@veonnoire3768]

Since ancient times some japanese people wear mask,for example ninjas...

[@FORBIDCharlie1986]

the guy at 1:36 wasn't wearing his mask properly but that's because his eyeglasses was probably fogging up so he had to uncover his nose just for the interview. hopefully he wore it properly after the interview was over.

[@Hakuu_A19]

This is so wholesome to see how much love his local community has for him ❤️

[@dank_frank2580]

Wizards tapped into the Japanese/Asian market like back then with Houston and Yao Ming and the Chinese market and look how his career turned out!

[@formodius]

Imagine a player from Scotland or the Middle East or the Philippines ,you never know what hidden talents are there

[@GAYWEEDDAD420]

@@formodius jordan clarkson is a star in the philippines

[@kevinzhu6417]

when I visited Tokyo a bit after he got drafted I saw his posters a lot, its really cool how a whole nation is supporting him

[@jeus_saaa]

@@GAYWEEDDAD420 is a star, has Filipino blood, but he didn't come from the Philippines.

[@captainobvious90]

With Yuta Watanabe as well, Japan must be extremely proud to have these players representing them

[@peterhaslund]

Welcome to the Lakers. You're a very good player with a winning smile. You'll do great! Kambate!

[@jameslawrence9865]

Visited our son when he was teaching English there. Lots of touristy things to do nearby, the snow wall, traditional farming villages, blue jellyfish, black Raman. Certainly worth a stop on the west coast of Japan.

[@xrcooneofficial5203]

Look at rui hachimura man so inspirational

[@Otachitaki]

He's like a hero in his hometown

[@JustEraseTheSystem]

Damn this is beautiful. The way the townspeople speak about him, some who probably haven’t even met him. Love that they say he’s a “dream”, good stuff

[@charlieqq123]

I like watching Rui plays. I recognize this kid when he was playing U18 for Japan. And he dominated like a young LBJ at that time. And time flies, he is in the NBA and doing well.

[@ikephipps2696]

This is such a great video..... Thanks wizards media people

[@smolaether]

Now you guys need to get the rest of the Generation of Miracles and it’s a lock for the championship.

[@thomaslual4604]

I just finished watching that anime😂😂😂😂

[@xxtetsukuroxx4879]

Lol

[@spongey1503]

What anime is it?

[@smolaether]

@@spongey1503 Kuroko no Basket.

[@spongey1503]

@@smolaether Thank you

[@beanabong2896]

This is why I love sports...bringing people together.

[@blackwallstreet6610]

Look at Rui man So inspirational

[@thatotau7478]

Love Rui, his attitude, sincerity, humility. Hope he shines bright.

[@ek2386]

his coach's words made me cry

[@marclim552]

Man, that quote on 4:30 hits me hardd

[@Gabe4President88]

fr man i felt like he was talking directly to me lmao

[@axelchris3772]

I felt that, thanks bro

[@Noah.L]

Imagine being his middle school coach and rui gives you those lines. I would ball my eyes out lol

[@Ochohades]

Toyama seems like an amazing place

[@奥山真実-s8w]

I like Rui He will be star

[@zaqakaruiman7249]

Welcome to Toyama! From Toyama Japan!

[@crossandshoot796]

こんなに良い字幕久しぶりに見ました！結構ニュアンスが難しいセリフたくさんあったのに英語で全て伝わる訳し方になってたと思います！なんかめちゃくちゃ上からですいません笑

[@dian6638]

This is literally the whole life of Rui hachimura being in slamdunk as Akagi Takenori and his mentor Anzai Mitsuyoshi

[@bergen0802]

Thanks for making this video.

[@willtravers4122]

2019 was a big year for Toyama sports. Rui got drafted, and our local sumo wrestler, Asanoyama, won the Emporer's Cup...along with another trophy that Trump gave him! It really put the area on the map as Toyama is a backwater prefecture, known for its nature and seafood more than anything else.

[@hido...]

Hope Rui Hachimaru inspires a new generation of basketball players and manga.

[@FrancesStudios]

Great coach.

[@shikigranbell7608]

This guy is really a hero after all his a professional player.

[@drwd4941]

ah his basketball coach is exactly what i imagine, an old man with gray hair just straight from every sports coach in anime xD

[@aqustks]

I love this! Great story!

[@園田開-c9o]

いい先生やなあ

[@karimqk1895]

This was wholesome af I love it

[@SilverSinclair-fy1cn]

Rui is smart, cute, handsome and a good player. Seems very humble too which is charming

[@SilverSinclair-fy1cn]

Rui grew up with a wide coach I’m sure he is very smart himself. He seems like a humble kid 🩷

[@MargielaWest]

Fills my heart ❤️

[@arg888]

Middle school coach interview was the highlight!

[@sakubatzumatsu]

such sad moment when he left Shohoku.. Goodluck in America, Akagisan!

[@goof_yo]

I really hope he is successful in the NBA

[@Macsization]

A black guy witt Asian personality and discipline. Dangerous combination...

[@tononly4859]

Respect from Thailand 🤩

[@SportsFan-vq9kk]

We love you Japan

[@clayghostfan]

amazing vid!!!!

[@ガム-c4x]

Joji Sakamoto became famous coach by Hachimura.

[@changyuetl]

the weight of ur dream can weigh u down so focus on each day.. Thats a fuckin bar

[@JacobWP]

wish i could like this video another thousand times!

[@benbruh209]

This dude Rui is real life Naruto in his hometown 🤣

[@gayuseliezer4770]

Rui gon win a championship, mark my words

[@kots2198]

0:12 this frame right here exist in most anime

[@MW_3]

Nope, 2:43

[@satya_diva]

Tsuki ga kirei

[@kots2198]

@@satya_diva My man knows straight fires

[@ФанзияГафарова-ъ8л]

And now, think a lil bit about his childhood, when almost every kid in his class or even adult that has met him, really thought about him

[@ФанзияГафарова-ъ8л]

There is no good childhood for other race kid's in Japan

[@ФанзияГафарова-ъ8л]

I am really sure. Even nowadays, when Rui made it to the NBA, some japanese ppl keep texting him some stupid stuff in DMs

[@ФанзияГафарова-ъ8л]

And I know for sure, when he showed his physicality and great abilities at basketball, they were saying behind him, that it's all thanks to him being this color of skin or having father from the continent that you all know

[@xapahlevi]

love rui

[@bootsbailey5857]

This is awesome. Reminds me of Oakland (my hometown) love for Marshawn Lynch and Andre Ward... Among others...

[@ottomanswag]

This is an amazing video!

[@strby8048]

Really amazing video!

[@moneysolomon1010]

Rui is the person i always wanted to be respekteble Basketball player

[@captainpaka3441]

SOON RUI WILL BE THE BEST ASIAN BASKETBALL PLAYER

[@robertotampioc7318]

Wait for Kai Sotto dude

[@captainpaka3441]

@@robertotampioc7318 Yes.

[@kalilova]

He was quoted saying “They looked at me like a fucking animal or something. It was part of the reason I wanted to come to the U.S. Everybody is different. I thought it would be good for me.” All of a sudden he is their freaking star in their eyes. Being half Black, and half Samoan but raised in California I didn't feel anything close to what he probably went through (as well as many bi-racial children all over the world), so it's a damn shame that it took this for them to recognize that he is a person. Kudo's to you Rui Hachimura.

[@slamdunk2270]

I call bullshit. You obviously have no knowledge whatsoever about Japan or Hachimura. His dad is from Bénin, a French speaking country. Not Samoa. Japanese are always surprised at half black kids, but not hating and blatantly racist. Just ignorant maybe. Of course, there are some racist people as well. But don't say "they" as that would imply they're all racist.

[@whysotrite]

​@@slamdunk2270 Read his reply, he is saying HE is half black, half Samoan. I call bullshit on your comments; ignorance or curiosity is the default, but there absolutely is a lot of racism towards hafu kids in Japan. Bullying and ostracizing happens constantly, and is a byproduct of the nation's homogeneous ideals. Rui isn't the first -- and won't be the last -- to be re-adopted as a national treasure when they finally get out from under the nation and do what they always could. Ask Naomi Osaka. I'm mixed and live in Japan.

[@natesullivan6086]

This video needs more views

[@jonathan96125]

That was beautiful

[@broodie3758]

Rui is one of the kiseki no sedai boys out there

[@Jknessmic]

Respect!!!

[@nimasarraf7685]

I think westbrook will make this guy a beast this year.

[@josh4897]

lmao you were right. Rui and Russ have been on fire lately 🤩

[@アルフォンソデイビス]

富山もとい日本の誇りでしかない

[@松葉杖ガニ左足骨折中]

最高です

[@Alejandrogarcia-cb8bt]

Good Video Washington ahora serán un mejor equipo con la llegada de Westbrook, vaya big three con Hachimura y Beal :)

[@Tony-cp6vu]

If you an asian athlete in america the asian community will support you as if you were the biggest star in the world! All love

[@formodius]

Damn imagine having you’re own gift shop

[@gavnak3415]

もっとバスケ流行らせようぜ

[@JIbanez1989]

Respect

[@raionkazutrash8448]

I'm a die hard Mavs fan but also a weeb so this content is so cool

[@bambaosaka]

Toyama RUI 👍

[@MrHamzasidd88]

This was cool

[@pinoyclasico8932]

There should be an anime about Rui's ascent to Gonzaga and the NBA.

[@HappyonefreePrincessforever]

Всех так успокаивает! Спаситель Планеты)))

[@jaben9654]

Guys check at 1:08 Upper right of the hair of the girl being interviewed there is something moving in an empty area

[@g17yt99]

Cant wait for the anime

[@doransshield9176]

4:30 amazing

[@DAATChannel]

Let’s go champ

[@702TifosiGambler]

がんばってほしです

[@galangpmungkas]

I need that kind of coach😭🔥

[@agnesmuani]

Imagine rui being a hardcore otaku😂

[@ryu-ken]

Once he develops a consistent midrange and 3 ball everything is gonna open up

[@Ngaihawma420]

Bro is gonna be an anime MC in the future lol

[@roksanaisrat507]

😅😅😅