WCC Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

3. Rui Hachimura

A 6’8 wing originally from Japan, Hachimura spent three years in Gonzaga and developed into one of their finest and most appreciated players in recent memory. He didn’t see much playing time in his freshman season, which ended with a trip to the national title game, but Hachimura became a major frontcourt weapon for the Bulldogs in his final two years of college ball.

After small contributions off the bench early on, he carved out his role as a sophomore as their sixth man, averaging 11.6 points and 4.7 rebounds as Gonzaga won another WCC title and reached the Sweet Sixteen. Junior year was Hachimura’s final season and by far his finest effort. He averaged 19.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, becoming the focal offensive threat for the Bulldogs. He scored a career-high 33 points on opening night against Idaho State and would put up great numbers throughout the year, leading Gonzaga to the Elite Eight.

Hachimura was named First Team All-WCC for those final two seasons and really moved the needle as a junior. Not only did he become WCC Player of the Year and his conference’s leading scorer, he was named First Team All-American and received the Julius Erving Award as well. An incredibly talented basketball player from Japan, Hachimura spent those three seasons in Spokane honing his craft and took advantage of his opportunities, achieving great success, including an early first round selection in the 2019 NBA Draft.