Japan forward Rui Hachimura re-signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA club said Thursday, the restricted free agent penning a 3-year, $51 million contract according to U.S. media.

The 25-year-old, who moved from the Washington Wizards to the Lakers in a January midseason trade, averaged 11.2 points per game during the regular season. He became the first Japanese player to reach an NBA conference finals.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) drives against the Denver Nuggets during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball Western Conference Finals series on May 18, 2023, in Denver, Colorado. (AP/Kyodo)

"I'm back, I'm so excited for the next year. Let's get it," Hachimura said on a Lakers' Twitter post.

Hachimura on June 27 announced he is not participating in the Aug. 25-Sept. 10 men's basketball World Cup for co-host Japan to focus on his upcoming fifth NBA season.

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