Who is Rui Hachimura?

Rui Hachimura is a Japanese professional basketball player who rose to fame as a commercial actor before joining the NBA. Born on February 8, 1998, in Toyama, Japan, Rui Hachimura initially played basketball in high school and attended Meisei High School in Sendai, Japan.

After dominating high school basketball, Hachimura made his international debut as a part of the Japanese national basketball team. However, it was his success in advertising that earned him widespread popularity in Japan.

Hachimura was spotted by the popular Japanese fashion brand, Uniqlo, while playing for his high school and was signed on as their representative athlete. He was also featured in commercials and promotional materials for Nissin Foods, Cup Noodles, and SoftBank, among others.

Hachimura's good looks, charming demeanor, and natural athleticism made him the perfect candidate for these commercials. His popularity skyrocketed in Japan due to his advertising work, leading him to be known as Japan's "Prince of Basketball".

Eventually, Hachimura joined Gonzaga University to play college basketball and became a star in the NCAA. In 2019, the Washington Wizards drafted him with the ninth overall pick in the NBA draft, making him the first Japanese person ever to be selected in the first round.

Despite his success as an NBA player, Hachimura's stardom began as a commercial actor in Japan. His popularity in Japan has not waned, and he continues to be featured in advertisements, helping to further his status as one of Japan's most beloved athletes.