Arrow-right Camera
Subscribe now
Gonzaga Basketball

Gonzaga’s Rui Hachimura scores 25 points in Japan’s World Cup victory

Gonzaga forward Rui Hachimura challenges Florida State’s Terrance Mann’s shot in GU’s Sweet 16 loss in Los Angeles. (Dan Pelle / The Spokesman-Review)

Rui Hachimura led the way Monday, scoring 25 points as Japan picked up another huge win, 75-60 over Iran, in the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers.

Hachimura, Gonzaga’s 6-foot-8 junior forward, filled out the stat sheet with seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals at sold-out Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo.

Former Zag forward Ira Brown added six points and eight rebounds as Japan earned its fourth straight World Cup qualifier win after opening with four consecutive losses.

Hachimura and Yuta Watanabe, who has signed a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies, each scored eight points in the third quarter as Japan outscored Iran 26-8.

Hachimura made 10 of 18 field-goal attempts and 5 of 8 free throws. Brown was 2 of 2 from the field, including one 3-pointer.

Japan will likely be without Hachimura and Watanabe for the next phase of World Cup qualifiers, games Nov. 30 and Dec. 3. The Zags will be wrapping up the first month of the season with a home game against North Dakota State on Nov. 26, a road date with Creighton on Dec. 1 and a home contest versus Washington on Dec. 5.