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TMZSports.com
You’re looking at the face of Cup Noodles … the biggest star to come out of Japan in years — NBA rookie Rui Hachimura — who’s telling TMZ Sports why he’s PUMPED to get his NBA career going in the U.S.
The 21-year-old became the first Japanese-born player selected in the 1st round of the NBA Draft when the Washington Wizards took him with the 9th overall pick … and man, he looks stoked!
ドラフトを待たずして、
まさかの日清食品から1位指名が笑😂
I didn’t know if this day would ever come. I am happy to announce I have been drafted by Team NISSIN @CupNoodle_jp @OrigCupNoodles 😂 pic.twitter.com/a9d63PKMU4— Rui “Louis” Hachimura 八村 塁 (@rui_8mura) June 19, 2019
@rui_8mura
And, get this … we asked Rui if he feels any pressure now that he’s in the NBA, dude SCOFFED — telling us his rabid fan base back home has already prepared him for NBA superstardom.
“It’s been always like this,” Rui said … “but right now especially its crazy.”
The 6′ 8″ Hachimura gained a massive following playing for Gonzaga … making an Elite 8 run in 2019 and earning the West Coast Conference 2019 Player of the Year honors.
He signed a massive deal to endorse both Cup Noodles and Nike — and you can tell he’s fired up about it!
We also asked if he thinks he’ll be able to sell more jerseys back home than #1 overall draft pick Zion Williamson … and ya gotta check out what he says!!