2018 Maui Invitational ended with Gonzaga (3) defeating Duke (1) (89-87) with a thrilling sequences at the last seconds. Despite the four missed free throws by Gonzaga to seal the game, defensive blocks and rebounds crowned the champion. Defense wins championships. And Japanese born player and a top NBA prospect Rui Hachimura won the MVP of the tournament.
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game?gameId=401096923
Rui Hachimura averages 23.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game after playing 5 games as a junior. In the championship game against Duke surrounded by tons of GMs and scouts, he grabbed 7 boards, dished 5 assists, and 3 blocks which made a great impact to the game against Duke's Dion Williamson and RJ Barret.
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/gamelog/_/id/4066648/rui-hachimura
https://www.nbadraft.net/ranking/bigboard
Observations of Rui Hachimura's growth from his first two years in Gonzaga, I have analyzed and listed why he is blossoming this year as a top prospect of the next NBA draft.
1.Confidence in communicating in English
Because basketball is a team sport, and it requires to communicate with not only players but coaching staffs, he has improved communicating in English which seems to be his challenge and most Japanese players who come to overseas and play organized sports. Obviously he understands his team's system better which is critical.
2. Improved middle range game from high posts
1-4 sets and high pick and roll sequences allows him to catch the ball at elbow spots. I think this year he has improved his 1 or 2 dribble pull up jump shots to be effective as Jay Billas calls it "smooth" as a NBA player. Zion Williams also had issues guarding Rui on this sequences.
３.Dominance in low post game
There were many occasions throughout the tournament where Rui gets doubled team down the low post area when he catches the ball. This is an indicator that Rui is dominant in low post game. Not only he slashes to the basket, he can back down with a dribble, and use proper footwork to end up in a high percentage shots.
４．Not only make a pass but create an assist
His ability to grab a defensive rebound and dribble up the court to finish or kick out passes to open players make him very versatile. He is 6-8 feet and 230lbs who can handle the ball. There were other sequences where he passes to the cutter when he was doubled which led to an easy basket.
５．Blocks and rebounds
Against the Duke game, his blocks and rebounds were critical to match up against Duke's Zion Williamson and RJ Barret. Obviously, his blocks and rebounds and winning 50/50 ball was the game winning factors.
６．Switch defense
NBA is becoming more and more of a "position-less" basketball. As such, it is important for a player to guard different players. This allows switching players on defense easier. There were tendencies he had hard time guarding in his freshman and sophomore years at Gonzaga. However, Rui has shown he has improved to adjust not only speed but physically be able to guard multiple players this year.
７. Leadership
Improvement in his English skills and communicating with his team also added his ability to lead the team. I think this is another addition to why he is becoming a top prospect of the next NBA draft.
Unlike the typical American born AAU players who are expected to be on NBA lottery picks, Rui Hachimura still has less mileage on him an he still has a great potential to grow as a professional player. Let's enjoy this year's NCAA tournament and how much he can prove as a college player this year. Expectations are becoming really high for the Japanese since Rui could be the historical player to become number first ever lottery pick from Japan.
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/25288415/the-education-gonzaga-rui-hachimura
