Angels News: Lakers’ Star Forward Depicts Greatness of Shohei Ohtani in Japan

Shohei Ohtani's greatness spreads globally.

Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani is not only a household name in America, he is the most well-known athlete in his native country, Japan. 

In a conversation on Thompson & Trudell, Lakers forward Rui Hachimura explained the impact that the two-way star has in Japan. Hachimura is one of only three active NBA players from Japan. 

"He's very big (in Japan). He's one of those athletes no one knows that he is a person. He's just a professional athlete, you never see him outside of baseball," said Hachimura. 

Can @rui_8mura help recruit Shohei Ohtani to the #Dodgers? @champagnennuts hopes so😂😅

Tune in on YouTube for more exclusive interviews⬇️https://t.co/hK4MTWRuMX pic.twitter.com/NapltWJ4cB

— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) July 6, 2023

Ohtani was a star player in Japan for five years before he made the move to the MLB. In 2015, he was named the best pitcher in Japan and, in 2016, he won the MVP of the Japanese League. 

In the conversation Hachimura had on ESPN Los Angeles, host of the show Mychal Thompson asked if the Lakers player could help recruit Shohei Ohtani to the Dodgers. 

Hachimura brushed off the questions and the whole radio show laughed about it.

The two Japanese players have met before years ago. Ohtani was in attendance at a Lakers game when Hachimura's Wizards were in town. 

The two exchanged phone numbers but don't keep in contact much.