Rui Hachimura Announces Second Black Samurai Summit in Japan This August Rui Hachimura, the Los Angeles Lakers forward, has confirmed the second annual BLACK SAMURAI SUMMIT 2026 will take place in Nagoya, Japan, from August 6 to 8, 2026. The event, hosted at the IG Arena, will feature basketball training sessions for 10,000 fans and a championship game involving 20 U18 athletes. Ticket sales for the public showcase game began on April 17 through AXS Japan, with premium box seating and dCard cardholder access available first. The summit builds on the success of its 2025 debut, aiming to cultivate elite athletes through a combination of physical training, mental conditioning, and exposure to high-pressure environments. Hachimura’s initiative is rooted in his belief that Japanese basketball players possess the physical talent to compete globally but lack the mental resilience required to succeed at the highest levels. Drawing from his experiences at Gonzaga University and in the NBA, he has designed the summit to instill five core mental principles: court ego, embracing pressure, professional independence, self-belief, and self-understanding. These frameworks are intended to challenge young athletes to think critically, adapt to adversity, and maintain confidence in their abilities. The summit’s structure emphasizes immersive training, with participants competing in front of large crowds to simulate the intensity of professional basketball. The event’s final day will feature an NCAA-style championship game, where selected U18 athletes will face off in a high-stakes competition. This format is designed to test players’ ability to perform under pressure, mirroring the challenges of elite competition.#rui_hachimura #softbank #ig_arena #black_samurai_summit #nagoya_japan
