Rui Hachimura has moved on from the high school, and he hopes his fans do too.
On his official Instagram account @blacksamurai, a clip of Hachimura donating a clippers jersey to a fan was posted. The fan originally wore Hachimura’s No. 28 Ugly shirt, but before he asked the boy to exchange for a new clippers jersey instead.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Rui Hachimura (28) in midday at the Intuit Dome. IMAGE Images via Reuters Connect
“This looks way cooler,” Hachimura said of the clippers. “Everybody, please, put out the jersey clippers.”
Hachimura signed a two-year, $28 million deal with the Clippers in July. He played four seasons with the Lakers and averaged 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. He projected 51.4% overall and 44.3% from 3-point range in 2025-26.
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Hachimura joins the crosstown rivals at a dark time in the franchise’s history.
The Clippers were stripped of five first-round picks, fined $30 million, and owner Steve Ballmer and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank were slapped. It’s time to try an organization that has never come out of the shadow of high school.
The 2026-27 campaign will be a prime opportunity for the organization to bounce back after the biggest block of the summer.
Meanwhile, Trident’s president of basketball operations, Redden, issued an apology to the media on Monday afternoon.
“Our stories deserve to be heard from us before this, and we’re sorry for that,” Redden said Monday. “We have heard the thoughts, concerns and emotions of our deepest hearts. Everything means to us. We hope … to fulfill our promises, build trust and move forward during this time.
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“This franchise has often done its best work with its back against the wall … We hope to represent our fans as we always have in the dark, by fighting back.”
The Clippers are trying to retain their fan base, but Hachimura appears to be hoping to add the Jets to his team ahead of his inaugural season with the team.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Bradley Beal (3) and forward Rui Hachimura (28) pose for a photo at halftime in the Intuit Dome. IMAGE Images via Reuters Connect
Rui Hachimura #28 Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. NBAE via Getty Images