Wizards' Rui Hachimura Reportedly Out Indefinitely for Personal Reasons

Washington Wizards power forward Rui Hachimura is reportedly away from the team because of personal reasons.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, it is an excused absence, and Hachimura will miss an indefinite amount of time.

The Wizards are scheduled to start their preparations for the 2021-22 season when camp opens Tuesday.

Washington selected Hachimura with the No. 9 pick in the 2019 NBA draft after he enjoyed a standout collegiate career at Gonzaga.

The 23-year-old native of Japan averaged 13.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 46.6 percent from the field in 48 games as a rookie.

As a result, Hachimura was selected to the All-Rookie second team.

He followed that up with another strong performance last season, averaging 13.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 47.8 percent from the floor over 57 games, all of which were starts.

Hachimura represented Japan at the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, and he was particularly impressive in scoring 34 points in a loss to Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic and Slovenia.

The expectation is that Hachimura will play a significant role this season for the Wizards, who made major changes during the offseason.

Washington traded point guard Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers for a package that included Spencer Dinwiddie, Kyle Kuzma, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Montrezl Harrell.

The Westbrook trade gave the Wizards significant depth, especially in the frontcourt.

Among the frontcourt players likely to play a major role in 2021-22 aside from Hachimura are Kuzma, Harrell, Thomas Bryant and Daniel Gafford. Washington also has long small forwards in Deni Avdija and Davis Bertans.

The Wizards are scheduled to start their regular season Oct. 20 at the Toronto Raptors, and if Hachimura isn't back by then, some of the aforementioned players will be asked to fill the void.