On Tuesday, Rui Machida released the following statement on signing with the Washington Mystics.
I‘m humbled and thrilled to be offered this incredible opportunity to play for [the] Washington Mystics in [the] WNBA. I want to express my deep appreciation to all who supported me in accepting this new challenge. I will do my best for my new team in America. This is my first time joining an international team. I am very excited about it. When I return to Japan, I’m certain that I will learn many new things and put my best foot forward for Fujitsu RedWave.