Rui Hachimura to Launch BLACK SAMURAI KOBE CAMP, a Next-Generation Basketball Development Program in Kobe

Professional basketball player Rui Hachimura will hold “Daiichi Life Group Presents BLACK SAMURAI KOBE CAMP,” a next-generation development program designed from his experience on the global stage, on August 4 and 5, 2026, at GLION ARENA KOBE in Kobe, Japan. KOBE CAMP will feature two main programs: “BASKETBALL CAMP,” a two-day intensive camp for around 100 selected junior high and high school students, and “THE SHOWCASE,” a ticketed fan event held in the arena. The basketball camp will be led by current NBA coach Phil Handy, who will provide world-class skill training, high-quality scrimmages, and Q&A sessions. THE SHOWCASE will take place on the afternoon of August 5 with Hachimura and selected camp participants. The program is designed to help young Japanese players better understand and close the gap with the global level. It focuses on NBA-level short-duration, high-intensity training, skill development, and mindset building. Instruction will primarily be conducted in English to create a more global basketball environment under the supervision of BLACK SAMURAI. Organizers point out that while Japan has a large basketball population, only a limited number of players compete at the highest global level. The issue is not only technical ability, but also the lack of practical game environments and language barriers. KOBE CAMP addresses three structural challenges in Japanese player development: language, changes in the training environment, and traditional mindsets around long practice hours. Its three themes are “Enjoy the Grind,” “Fear No Challenge,” and “Expand Your Vision.” BASKETBALL CAMP is open to approximately 100 selected male and female students from the first year of junior high school through the third year of high school. The participation fee is 70,000 yen before tax and includes access to the two-day camp, a set of limited apparel, and participation in the fan event. Applications close at 23:59 on June 5, 2026. Phil Handy, currently an assistant coach for the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, previously served as Hachimura’s skill coach during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers. He has also coached players including LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kyrie Irving, and Kawhi Leonard. Handy said the camp will be far more intense than ordinary practice and will push athletes beyond what they believe to be their limits in order to bring out their true selves. Hachimura said he wants participants to experience world-class basketball through Handy’s coaching and raise their standards for the game, while also learning English communication, an essential skill for players aiming for the global stage. He added that Japan’s school club and community team environments are undergoing major changes, making it necessary to create a new development space where children can fully immerse themselves in basketball while learning skills, physical training, mindset, and English together. A free outdoor KOBE CAMP PARK will also be set up outside the arena, offering limited merchandise, food and drinks, and photo spots. BLACK SAMURAI 2026 is positioned as a platform through which Hachimura passes on the experience, perspective, and mindset he gained on the world stage to the next generation, helping strengthen and evolve Japanese basketball.