Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Robert Marvi

Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt are working with Phil Handy

There are two months left until training camp for the 2023-24 NBA season begins, but those dedicated to their craft are already preparing.

Buy Lakers Tickets

For the Los Angeles Lakers, such preparation is more important than it is for many other teams, as they are thought to have a legitimate shot at winning the world championship.

While their chances of doing so rest largely on the play and health of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, forwards Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt will also be key. In addition to their skill sets, they will allow the squad to keep James’ minutes down while also taking some pressure off Davis at both ends of the floor.

Hachimura and Vanderbilt were seen in Greece getting some work in with highly regarded Lakers player development coach Phil Handy.

The big key for Vanderbilt, who is an effective and versatile defender, will be improving his 3-point shooting to the point where, at the very least, he won’t be a liability in that department. Meanwhile, Hachimura already got in work with Handy this past season and has credited the coach with helping him feel confident and comfortable.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.