Japan's national basketball team roster announced for South Korea qualifiers, missing NBA stars Hachimura and Watanabe

Japan's men's national basketball team is gearing up for the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers, announcing a 15-player roster that notably excludes several key players. NBA talents Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers and Yuta Watanabe of the Chicago Bulls will not be participating in the upcoming matches against South Korea. Veteran guard Yuki Togashi of the Chiba Jets is also absent from the squad.

The team is set to commence rigorous training as they prepare for the crucial qualifying games. Despite the absence of its NBA stars, Japan aims to build a strong competitive unit. The focus remains on securing qualification for the 2027 FIBA World Cup, a significant goal for Japanese basketball.

The selection signals a strategic approach by the coaching staff, potentially looking to develop depth and test new strategies ahead of the tournament. The absence of Hachimura and Watanabe, in particular, suggests an opportunity for other players to step up and prove their capabilities on the international stage.