Phil Handy Asked Darvin Ham to Let Him Work with Rui Hachimura Immediately After Trade

But as soon as the deal was done, there was one assistant coach who couldn't wait to get to work with Hachimura: Phil Handy.

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The NBA trade deadline can be a chaotic time for players and coaches alike, with rosters shifting and new faces arriving in the locker room.

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When he learned that Hachimura would be joining the Bucks, he immediately reached out to assistant coach Darvin Ham to express his interest in working with the Japanese forward.

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"I've been following his career since his days at Gonzaga, and I've always been impressed by his skillset and his work ethic.

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Ham, who is also highly respected in NBA coaching circles, was happy to oblige. "I've known Phil for a long time, and I have a lot of respect for him as a coach and as a person," he said.

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Since joining the Bucks, Hachimura has quickly become a fan favorite, with his athleticism and scoring ability making him a valuable asset off the bench.

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"So when he came to me and said he wanted to work with Rui, I knew it would be a great opportunity for our team."

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And while he's still a young player with plenty of room to grow, Handy believes that he has the potential to be a star in the league.

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But what I really love about him is his work ethic. He's always looking to get better, and he's willing to put in the time and the effort to make it happen."

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