A big talking point of Rui Hachimura’s career is his three point shot. People have argued about whether he is a good three point shooter or just had a flukey shooting year / heats up in the playoffs in small sample sizes. 


His first two years in the league: 


Rookie: 28.7% (1.8 3PA) 


Sophmore: 32.8% (2.4 3PA) 


Sophmore Playoffs: 60.0% (3.0 3PA, 5 Games)


After a surprising shooting performance against the second best defence in the league and one seed, many speculated it was just a role player heating up in a small sample size. 


In 2022, Hachimura’s third season, he would follow up his hot shooting from the 2021 playoffs, shooting 44.7% from three at close to 3.0 attempts a game. However he only played 42 games, about half a season. Hence the debates began, is Hachimura actually a good shooter? Or a guy who benefits from heating up in small sample sizes / low leverage games 


Since his 2021 post season this is what his three point shooting has looked like: 


2022: 44.7% (2.9 3PA)


2023: 31.9% (2.5 3PA) 


2024: 42.2% (3.4 3PA) 


2025: 41.3% (4.2 3PA) 


He is a career 48.5% three point shooter in the playoffs, and has shot 46.4% on 3.0+ attempts in the playoffs for the Lakers since being acquired.


While playoff games are the highest intensity games, they are also a small sample size to draw a conclusion from, especially when you consider the defensive attention Hachimura is receiving. He has also never played a full season, with an average of 58 games played over the last four years. Therefore unlike other players who have to sustain their shooting for 82 games, Hachimura avoids bad slumps that usually occur mid-end season. 


So what’s the verdict? Is Hachimura someone who deserves to be called a “good” three point shooter, or is a he just a guy who goes off on heaters in small samples? He’s below average in games available, and volume of shots, but for the past few years he’s been at the top or near the top for efficiency.   


Rui Hachimura’s status as a three point shooter