Gonzaga Basketball: Timberwolves targeting Rui Hachimura in NBA Draft

Gonzaga Basketball: Timberwolves targeting Rui Hachimura in 2019 NBA Draft

By Brian Rauf | May 18, 2019

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Rui Hachimura #21 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs is introduced ahead of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament West Regional game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Honda Center on March 30, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

LAHAINA, HI – NOVEMBER 20: Rui Hachimura #21 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs tries to get around Ryan Luther #10 of the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of the game at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 20, 2018 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images) /

Rui Hachimura had been sliding down mock draft boards but a recent report indicates the former Gonzaga Basketball star will be a top-11 pick.

Star Gonzaga Basketball forward Rui Hachimura started the season as the National Player of the Year favorite and consensus top-10 pick in the NBA Draft. Though he continued to play well as the season went on, Hachimura began sliding down mock drafts as Brandon Clarke became more of a focal point of Gonzaga‘s attack.

However, it appears that slide was only happening in mock drafts.

According to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer, Hachimura is expected to be selected in the top 10 but, if he’s still on the board at No. 11, the Minnesota Timberwolves will take him.

"There seems to be a sense at the Combine it’s unlikely Gonzaga’s Rui Hachimura could last to the Hornets’ No. 12 pick. Lots of speculation the Timberwolves at No. 11 is his floor."

Minnesota is looking for frontcourt depth and a big man to pair with Karl-Anthony Towns long term. The Timberwolves did acquire Dario Saric and Robert Covington in the Jimmy Butler trade, but need more depth with veterans Luol Deng and Taj Gibson entering free agency.

Hachimura‘s scoring and ability to play either forward position is what intrigues Minnesota. He’s also relatively young in his basketball life and is still just scratching the surface of his potential.

The 6-9, 235-pound Japanese native did not attend this week’s combine which, while rare for players in his position, is something former Gonzaga big man Domantas Sabonis did as well. The two share the same agency.

The Los Angeles Lakers were rumored to be interested in Hachimura before the lottery, after which they jumped from the No. 11 pick to the No. 4 overall selection. It’s unlikely that the Lakers will seriously look into taking him with that pick, but that is the point in the draft order where Hachimura is starting to receive interest.

The top three picks seem to be already determined with Zion Williamson going to the Pelicans, Ja Morant to the Grizzlies, and R.J. Barrett to the Knicks.

Next. Post-Lottery Mock 2019 NBA Draft. dark

Hachimura averaged 19.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game for Gonzaga this past season while being named the WCC Player of the Year and a consensus first-team All-American.

Check out his highlight tape below.