The addition of Rui Hachimura to the Los Angeles Lakers following the trade with the Washington Wizards has given the team much-needed depth to its lineup.
Hachimura not only likes his new Lakers threads, but also pays tribute to the late Kobe and Gianna Bryant with his jersey number.
Hachimura debuted with the number 28, and although it was believed that it was because his number 8 with the Wizards was already retired by Kobe Bryant (the number 24 is also), it is actually to show his respect to both of them.
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Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 30, 2023 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
(Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
«I asked him, ‘Have you picked a number yet?'» Lakers owner Jeanie Buss said of a conversation with Hachimura during Stephen A. Smith’s «Know Mercy» podcast. «He said, ‘Yeah, I’m wearing number 28.’ … No. 2 for Gianna and No. 8 for Kobe.'»
The tragic incident involving Kobe and Gianna Bryant, as well as seven others, occurred just over three years ago. They died in a helicopter crash outside of Los Angeles.
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Hachimura’s first game as a Laker saw 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting in 21 minutes of play in a win over the San Antonio Spurs on January 25. He scored 16 in his most recent meeting with the Brooklyn Nets, a game the Lakers lost Monday.
Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half against the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden on January 28, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.
(Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The 24-year-old has seen increases in playing time since signing him, which was expected as the Lakers have had to fill holes on the wing with the likes of Troy Brown Jr., Juan Toscano-Anderson and Wenyen Gabriel. .
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Needing more offensive punch to go along with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who recently returned from injury, general manager Rob Pelinka made a play for the available Hachimura.
Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 30, 2023 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
(Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
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In his four-plus seasons with the Wizards, Hachimura averaged 13 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game in 177 games (118 starts).