'Active NBA Star' Japan's Rui Hachimura to Face Off in Korea-Japan Game on Liberation Day! Expecting a Clash with Lee Hyun-jung

*This content was translated by AI.

A formidable "super-sized nightmare" and top-priority concern has emerged for the South Korean men's basketball national team. As Rui Hachimura (28, LA Clippers, 203cm), a star of Japanese basketball currently active in the National Basketball Association (NBA), returns to the Japanese national team after two years, a spectacular big match between him and Lee Hyun-jung (26, 208cm), South Korea's "ace," is expected to take place during the Korea-Japan game on Liberation Day.

According to a report by Japan's Nisspo Web on the 5th, the Japan Basketball Association (JBA) announced a 14-player roster for an intensive training camp ahead of two 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Second Qualifying Round games scheduled for late August. The roster includes Hachimura Rui, who recently expressed his intention to return to the national team, and guard Yuki Kawamura (25), who played for the Chicago Bulls last season, among other top-tier overseas players.

Hachimura personally announced his decision to return at a fan meeting held on the 1st in Shinjuku, Tokyo. After halting his activities with the Lee Hu (CEO) team during the 2024 Paris Olympics, he stated in front of fans, "The real reason for my return is to participate in the second qualifying round of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup scheduled for August," thereby officially confirming his intention to rejoin the national team.

Shortly after the Paris Olympics, Hachimura had conflicts with the JBA over the reappointment of the national team coach. However, the association replaced its head coach with Dai Oketani in February and launched an active persuasion campaign, leading to his sudden return. Itaku Ito, JBA Kang Hwa-wi (Director), also expressed expectations, stating, "The addition of players competing in the world's top league will be a powerful driving force toward achieving the team's goals."

According to the report, the Japanese national team will begin its training camp on the 11th. After synchronizing their efforts, they are scheduled to play two exhibition matches against the South Korean national team on the 15th and 16th at Tokyo Ariake Arena.

In particular, the first match held on the 15th, which is Liberation Day, will be the biggest big match drawing the attention of basketball fans from both countries. This is because Lee Hyun-jung, who recently joined the Ma Chi-go (CEO) team after completing his NBA Summer League schedule, will also play. The clash over pride against Hachimura, an active "star forward" in the NBA whose level surpasses that of the Asian stage, has emerged as the top viewing highlight of this Korea-Japan game.

After finishing the exhibition matches, Japan will travel to Saudi Arabia on the 27th and then play a home game against Qatar at Tokyo Toyota Arena on the 31st in the second qualifying round of the World Cup.

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*This content was translated by AI.