Asian Games: Basketball

Asian Games: Basketball

South Korea's Lee Hyun Jung (1) plays during a men's basketball group-stage game against Indonesia at the Asian Games at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 11, 2026, as competition gets under way ahead of the Sept. 19 opening ceremony.

Asian Games: Basketball

Asian Games: Basketball

South Korea's Lee Hyun Jung (1) plays during a men's basketball group-stage game against Indonesia at the Asian Games at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 11, 2026, as competition gets under way ahead of the Sept. 19 opening ceremony.

Asian Games: Basketball

Asian Games: Basketball

South Korea's Lee Hyun Jung (1) plays during a men's basketball group-stage game against Indonesia at the Asian Games at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 11, 2026, as competition gets under way ahead of the Sept. 19 opening ceremony.

Asian Games: Basketball

Asian Games: Basketball

South Korea's Lee Hyun Jung plays during a men's basketball group-stage game against Indonesia at the Asian Games at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 11, 2026, as competition gets under way ahead of the Sept. 19 opening ceremony.

Asian Games: Basketball

Asian Games: Basketball

South Korea's Lee Hyun Jung (L) plays during a men's basketball group-stage game against Indonesia at the Asian Games at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 11, 2026, as competition gets under way ahead of the Sept. 19 opening ceremony.

Asian Games: Basketball

Asian Games: Basketball

South Korea's Lee Hyun Jung (L) plays during a men's basketball group-stage game against Indonesia at the Asian Games at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 11, 2026, as competition gets under way ahead of the Sept. 19 opening ceremony.

Asian Games: Basketball

Asian Games: Basketball

Players from Japan and Indonesia compete in a men's basketball game at the Asian Games at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 10, 2026, as competition gets under way ahead of the Sept. 14 opening ceremony.

Asian Games: Basketball

Asian Games: Basketball

Players from Japan and Indonesia compete in a men's basketball game at the Asian Games at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 10, 2026, as competition gets under way ahead of the Sept. 14 opening ceremony.

Asian Games: Basketball

Asian Games: Basketball

Players from Japan and Indonesia compete in a men's basketball game at the Asian Games at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 10, 2026, as competition gets under way ahead of the Sept. 14 opening ceremony.

Asian Games: Basketball

Asian Games: Basketball

Players from Japan and Indonesia compete in a men's basketball game at the Asian Games at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 10, 2026, as competition gets under way ahead of the Sept. 14 opening ceremony.

Asian Games: Basketball

Asian Games: Basketball

Players from Japan and Indonesia compete in a men's basketball game at the Asian Games at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 10, 2026, as competition gets under way ahead of the Sept. 14 opening ceremony.

Asian Games: Basketball

Asian Games: Basketball

Players from Japan and Indonesia compete in a men's basketball game at the Asian Games at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 10, 2026, as competition gets under way ahead of the Sept. 14 opening ceremony.

Asian Games: Basketball

Asian Games: Basketball

Players from Japan and Indonesia compete in a men's basketball game at the Asian Games at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 10, 2026, as competition gets under way ahead of the Sept. 14 opening ceremony.

Asian Games: Basketball

Asian Games: Basketball

Players from Japan pose for a photo ahead of a men's basketball game against Indonesia at the Asian Games at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 10, 2026, as competition gets under way ahead of the Sept. 14 opening ceremony.

Basketball: National Sports Festival

Basketball: National Sports Festival

ODAWARA, Japan, Sept. 10 Kyodo - Yuta Tabuse (4) of Akita dribbles past some Yamaguchi defenders during a boys' division basketball game at the Autumn National Sports Festival at Odawara Sports Center Gymnasium in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, on Oct. 26, 1998.

Basketball: National high school invitational tourney

Basketball: National high school invitational tourney

TOKYO, Japan, Sept. 10 Kyodo - Yuta Tabuse (13) of Noshiro Technical High School scores in the second half of a basketball game against Fukushima Technical High School during the final of the national high school invitational tournament at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in the Japanese capital on Dec. 28, 1996.

Basketball: National high school invitational tourney

Basketball: National high school invitational tourney

TOKYO, Japan, Sept. 10 Kyodo - Yuta Tabuse (4) of Noshiro Technical High School shoots past a defender in the first half of a basketball game against Funabashi Municipal High School during the final of the national high school invitational tournament at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in the Japanese capital on Dec. 28, 1998.

Asian Games: Basketball

Asian Games: Basketball

Players from Qatar and Iran compete in a men's basketball game at the Asian Games at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 10, 2026, as competition gets under way ahead of the Sept. 14 opening ceremony.

Asian Games: Basketball

Asian Games: Basketball

Players from Qatar and Iran compete in a men's basketball game at the Asian Games at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 10, 2026, as competition gets under way ahead of the Sept. 14 opening ceremony.

Asian Games: Basketball

Asian Games: Basketball

Players from Qatar and Iran compete in a men's basketball game at the Asian Games at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 10, 2026, as competition gets under way ahead of the Sept. 14 opening ceremony.

Asian Games: Basketball

Asian Games: Basketball

Players from Qatar and Iran compete in a men's basketball game at the Asian Games at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 10, 2026, as competition gets under way ahead of the Sept. 14 opening ceremony.

Asian Games: Basketball

Asian Games: Basketball

Players from Qatar and Iran compete in a men's basketball game at the Asian Games at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 10, 2026, as competition gets under way ahead of the Sept. 14 opening ceremony.

Asian Games: Basketball

Asian Games: Basketball

Players from Qatar and Iran compete in a men's basketball game at the Asian Games at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Sept. 10, 2026, as competition gets under way ahead of the Sept. 14 opening ceremony.

Asian Games: Aichi-Nagoya Games

Asian Games: Aichi-Nagoya Games

Photo taken on Sept. 9, 2026, shows Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan. The venue will host the basketball and judo competitions at the Asian Games, to be held mainly in Aichi Prefecture from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4.

Asian Games: Aichi-Nagoya Games

Asian Games: Aichi-Nagoya Games

Photo taken on Sept. 9, 2026, shows Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, central Japan. The venue will host the basketball and judo competitions at the Asian Games, to be held mainly in Aichi Prefecture from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4.

Basketball: World Cup Asian qualifying

Basketball: World Cup Asian qualifying

Japan players acknowledge the crowd after beating Qatar in a 2027 Basketball World Cup Asian qualifying second-phase match at Toyota Arena Tokyo on Aug. 31, 2026.

Basketball: World Cup Asian qualifying

Basketball: World Cup Asian qualifying

Yuki Kawamura (front) and other Japan players acknowledge the crowd after beating Qatar in a 2027 Basketball World Cup Asian qualifying second-phase match at Toyota Arena Tokyo on Aug. 31, 2026.

Basketball: World Cup Asian qualifying

Basketball: World Cup Asian qualifying

Japan's Rui Hachimura (C) smiles following a 123-70 victory over Qatar in a 2027 Basketball World Cup Asian qualifying second-phase match at Toyota Arena Tokyo on Aug. 31, 2026.

Basketball: World Cup Asian qualifying

Basketball: World Cup Asian qualifying

Japan's Rui Hachimura (R) passes the ball during the fourth quarter of a 2027 Basketball World Cup Asian qualifying second-phase match against Qatar at Toyota Arena Tokyo on Aug. 31, 2026.

Basketball: World Cup Asian qualifying

Basketball: World Cup Asian qualifying

Japan's Rui Hachimura lines up a three-pointer to score against Qatar during the second quarter of the second phase of Asian qualifying for the 2027 Basketball World Cup at Toyota Arena Tokyo on Aug. 31, 2026.

Basketball: World Cup Asian qualifying

Basketball: World Cup Asian qualifying

Japan's Rui Hachimura dunks against Qatar during the first quarter of the second phase of Asian qualifying for the 2027 Basketball World Cup at Toyota Arena Tokyo on Aug. 31, 2026. ==Kyodo

Basketball: World Cup Asian qualifying

Basketball: World Cup Asian qualifying

Japan's Rui Hachimura scores against Qatar during the first quarter of the second phase of Asian qualifying for the 2027 Basketball World Cup at Toyota Arena Tokyo on Aug. 31, 2026.

IPC head Parsons in Tokyo

IPC head Parsons in Tokyo

International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons chats with a teen wheelchair basketball player at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on Aug. 28, 2026.

Basketball: Rui Hachimura

Basketball: Rui Hachimura

Los Angeles Clippers forward Rui Hachimura (R) trains in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Aug. 26, 2026, before Japan faces Saudi Arabia in the second round of the 2027 Basketball World Cup Asian qualifier.

Basketball: Rui Hachimura

Basketball: Rui Hachimura

Los Angeles Clippers forward Rui Hachimura trains in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Aug. 26, 2026, before Japan faces Saudi Arabia in the second round of the 2027 Basketball World Cup Asian qualifier.

Basketball: Hachimura visits hometown Toyama

Basketball: Hachimura visits hometown Toyama

Los Angeles Clippers forward Rui Hachimura speaks during an event held in his hometown Toyama, central Japan, on Aug. 22, 2026.

Basketball: Hachimura visits hometown Toyama

Basketball: Hachimura visits hometown Toyama

Los Angeles Clippers forward Rui Hachimura speaks during an event held in his hometown Toyama, central Japan, on Aug. 22, 2026.

Basketball: Hachimura visits hometown Toyama

Basketball: Hachimura visits hometown Toyama

Los Angeles Clippers forward Rui Hachimura speaks during an event held in his hometown Toyama, central Japan, on Aug. 22, 2026.

Basketball: Hachimura visits hometown Toyama

Basketball: Hachimura visits hometown Toyama

Los Angeles Clippers forward Rui Hachimura speaks during an event held in his hometown Toyama, central Japan, on Aug. 22, 2026.

Basketball: Rui Hachimura

Basketball: Rui Hachimura

NBA star Rui Hachimura meets the press at Tokyo's Ariake Arena on Aug. 14, 2026, following a training session held ahead of men's basketball international friendlies against South Korea on Aug. 15 and Aug. 16. Hachimura of the Los Angeles Clippers recently expressed his intention to return to play for Japan.

Basketball: Rui Hachimura

Basketball: Rui Hachimura

NBA star Rui Hachimura meets the press at Tokyo's Ariake Arena on Aug. 14, 2026, following a training session held ahead of men's basketball international friendlies against South Korea on Aug. 15 and Aug. 16. Hachimura of the Los Angeles Clippers recently expressed his intention to return to play for Japan.

Basketball: Rui Hachimura

Basketball: Rui Hachimura

NBA star Rui Hachimura meets the press at Tokyo's Ariake Arena on Aug. 14, 2026, following a training session held ahead of men's basketball international friendlies against South Korea on Aug. 15 and Aug. 16. Hachimura of the Los Angeles Clippers recently expressed his intention to return to play for Japan.

Basketball: Rui Hachimura

Basketball: Rui Hachimura

NBA star Rui Hachimura meets the press at Tokyo's Ariake Arena on Aug. 14, 2026, following a training session held ahead of men's basketball international friendlies against South Korea on Aug. 15 and Aug. 16. Hachimura of the Los Angeles Clippers recently expressed his intention to return to play for Japan.

Basketball: Rui Hachimura

Basketball: Rui Hachimura

Japan's Rui Hachimura practices at Tokyo's Ariake Arena on Aug. 14, 2026, ahead of men's basketball international friendlies against South Korea on Aug. 15 and Aug. 16.

Basketball: Rui Hachimura

Basketball: Rui Hachimura

Japan's Rui Hachimura (C) practices at Tokyo's Ariake Arena on Aug. 14, 2026, ahead of men's basketball international friendlies against South Korea on Aug. 15 and Aug. 16.

Basketball: Rui Hachimura

Basketball: Rui Hachimura

Japan's Rui Hachimura practices at Tokyo's Ariake Arena on Aug. 14, 2026, ahead of men's basketball international friendlies against South Korea on Aug. 15 and Aug. 16.

[Breaking News]Basketball: Hachimura meets press in Nagoya

NAGOYA, Japan, Aug. 6 Kyodo - NBA star Rui Hachimura speaks during a press conference at IG Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Aug. 6, 2026. Hachimura, who recently joined the Los Angeles Clippers, said he wants to play for Japan at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. (Kyodo)

Basketball: Hachimura hosts young talent development project

Basketball: Hachimura hosts young talent development project

NBA star Rui Hachimura (C) talks to young basketball players at IG Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Aug. 6, 2026. Hachimura invited young players to his Black Samurai Summit 2026 project to develop next-generation basketball talent.

Basketball: Hachimura hosts young talent development project

Basketball: Hachimura hosts young talent development project

NBA star Rui Hachimura (back, 2nd from L) speaks to young basketball players at IG Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Aug. 6, 2026. Hachimura invited young players to his Black Samurai Summit 2026 project to develop next-generation basketball talent.

Basketball: Hachimura hosts young talent development project

Basketball: Hachimura hosts young talent development project

NBA star Rui Hachimura (far L) speaks to young basketball players at IG Arena in Nagoya, central Japan, on Aug. 6, 2026. Hachimura invited young players to his Black Samurai Summit 2026 project to develop next-generation basketball talent.