Rui Hachimura is now in his fifth NBA season in Los Angeles but returns to Crypto.com Arena wearing a different uniform.
He spent the past three-plus seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers before signing with the L.A. Clippers as a free agent during the offseason. The Lakers and Clippers play Friday night.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Hachimura said Wednesday after the Clippers’ season-opening win over the Sacramento Kings. “I’m going to see all my old teammates and coaches. Playing in that arena is special. I’m excited.”
The former Gonzaga basketball player signed a two-year deal with the Clippers worth $28 million.
“I’m excited to see the fans,” Hachimura said. “I love them. It’s a special game but we got to get the win.”
Hachimura nearly produced a double-double in his debut with the Clippers. He finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes of play as a starter.
Rui Hachimura on Friday's game vs. Lakers
Hachimura spent the first three-plus seasons of his career with the Washington Wizards before he was traded to the Lakers in January 2023.
The Japanese player started nine of the 33 games he played for the Lakers that season. He earned a key role in the rotation.
He averaged 45 starts per season during his final three seasons with the Lakers. He averaged 12.3 points and 4.3 rebounds during his tenure with the Lakers, shooting 41.5% from the 3-point line.
Lakers coach JJ Redick knows what kind of person Hachimura is after two seasons as his coach, and he knows what kind of threat Hachimura will be as an opposing player now.
“In terms of his offensive packaging, he’s one of the best shooters in the NBA,” Redick told reporters this week. “We got him at a good point in his career. ... His mid-range game is great.
“He's one of my favorite players I've ever been around in the NBA and one of my favorite players that I've ever coached and it's because of the consistency of joy and personality that he brings every day.”
Lakers standout Austin Reaves shared a similar sentiment about Hachimaura and described his initial reaction to him.
“He's an unbelievable human, but I didn't know if he spoke English for the first two weeks,” Reaves told reporters. “I would sit by him on the plane and he didn't speak to me and then after that I couldn't get him to shut up, but he's a great guy and a great player and I miss him.”
When will Clippers play Lakers?
The Clippers will visit the Lakers Friday for a Pacific Division game at Crypto.com Arena. Tip-off should come shortly after 7 p.m. PT.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rui Hachimura looking forward to playing on other side of Lakers-Clippers rivalry