Yu Darvish wears a Rui Hachimura shirt after Spring Training debut originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
After starting pitcher Yu Darvish finished his Spring Training debut with the San Diego Padres, he addressed the media wearing a shirt that featured a basketball player Wizards fans may recognize.
Smack across the shirt was the word "8MURA" and an image of Wizards second-year forward Rui Hacimura dunking a basketball.
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It's no surprise that Darvish is showing support for the former first-round pick from Gonzaga. The two's friendship has been documented in the past.
Both star athletes from Japan, Hachimura and Darvish are two of the most recognizable names in the country with large fanbases. While Darvish has been shining at the professional level since 2012, Hachimura is in just his second year. Darvish seems to have somewhat taken him under his wing, as he stopped by a Washington game last season and went out to dinner with Hachimura following the contest.
Darvish has also shown praise for the rising star, as making it from Japan to the NBA is rather rare. While Darvish is among the many Japanese players to play at the major league level in baseball, Hachimura became the first Japanese-born player to be drafted in the top-10.
"You don't have to be tall or big to play baseball," Darvish said back in 2020. "But when it comes to basketball, you have to be tall and athletic and contribute to the team on a nightly basis. I think what he's accomplishing is more exceptional."
It's clear the two have a friendship and Darvish is pulling for Hachimura, now it's time to see if Hachimura has a Darvish shirt to rock at his next press conference.
