Rui Hachimura was the top scorer with 29 points, playing a key role in Japan's 106-78 victory over Saudi Arabia in their first Group F match of the 2027 Asian World Cup qualifiers on Thursday.
The win gave Japan a strong start to their qualifying campaign, as coach Tom Hovasse's side showed clear superiority over their West Asian opponents.
Hachimura, who currently plays in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers, not only scored but also played a crucial role in orchestrating the offense and drawing the attention of the opposing defense. His excellence helped Japan's frontline operate efficiently, creating many scoring opportunities both inside and beyond the three-point line.
Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, put in a spirited effort but could not withstand the overwhelming offensive power of the home side. It was their first defeat in the qualifiers after entering the campaign as one of the region's promising teams.
With this win, Japan temporarily tops Group F after the opening round. They will play their next qualifying match next month, facing other opponents in their group.
This is an encouraging achievement for Japanese basketball, as the team aims to compete for a spot at the 2027 World Cup and build strength for upcoming major tournaments.
