RUI Hachimura has become the latest international NBA player to skip the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup.
The Japanese Basketball Association announced the unavailability of Hachimura in a press release.
See Matthew Aquino included in Japan's 25-man World Cup extended roster
The release said Hachimura is still working on his NBA contract. The Los Angeles Lakers forward becomes a restricted free agent this offseason.
"After comprehensive consideration, we have accepted his wishes and have decided not to invite him to the Japan national team this summer," said the JBA in a statement.
Hachimura skipped the World Cup, two years after he suited up for the Akatsuki Five in the Tokyo Olympics.
Hachimura was initially part of the 25-man extended roster of Japan in the World Cup that also includes fellow NBA player Yuta Watanabe.
Filipino-Japanese cager Matthew Aquino is also part of that pool.
Japan will be going up against Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Australia, Germany, and Finland in Group E of the Fiba Basketball World Cup to be played in Okinawa.
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