NBA Washington Wizards star Rui Hachimura, who in May announced a partnership with bicycle maker Cannondale, held an online press conference on Tuesday during which he said his Olympic preparations are already underway.
"The season ended [on June 2] and after taking a short break, I've already started training," Hachimura said.
Hachimura, who is certain to be Japan's top player on the men's team at the Tokyo Games, is expected to join the squad in early July.
As far as what day he'll actually get on the court with the team, Hachimura said: "I'm not sure about the specifics, but I'm working on things ahead of the Olympics and I'm very much looking forward to playing."
Hachimura also spoke about being associated with cycling, with which he has been heavily involved since his days at Okuda Junior High School in Toyama City. During his time at Gonzaga University, he was the only one on the basketball team who had a bike, so his teammates would sometimes ride it without asking him.
"I always thought, 'everyone should have a bike,'" he said. "It's a very good change of pace in everyday life."
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
