NAGOYA - Los Angeles Clippers star Rui Hachimura on Thursday reaffirmed his determination to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as he committed to rejoining the Japanese men's national basketball team.
"The Los Angeles Olympics is the biggest goal," Hachimura told a press conference in Nagoya. "I want to take responsibility and compete in the upcoming qualifiers with that in mind."
The 28-year-old had stepped back from the national team following the 2024 Paris Olympics, citing concerns over the Japan Basketball Association's management.
However, Dai Oketani was appointed as the new head coach in February, replacing Tom Hovasse.
"Every single play had intention behind it. It was the kind of basketball I've always wanted to play, and I was really happy to see that," Hachimura said. "It made me want to come back and play for the national team."
He also praised Oketani and the new coaching staff, saying they are "teaching us at a level where we can compete with the world."
Hachimura had first signaled his intention to return on his YouTube channel on Saturday, saying, "I'm coming back to the national team, and I want to keep grinding for Japanese basketball."
He is among 14 players named to the national team's training camp beginning next Tuesday.
Japan will face South Korea in international friendlies on Aug. 15 and 16 before taking on Saudi Arabia and Qatar late this month in the second round of the 2027 Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers.
