Austin Reaves' journey with the Los Angeles Lakers is nothing short of inspiring. Hailing from the small town of Newark, Arkansas, Reaves' path to NBA stardom reads like a modern-day Horatio Alger story.
After honing his skills at Wichita State and the University of Oklahoma, he joined the Lakers as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Fast forward a few years, and Reaves has transformed from a two-way contract player to a pivotal figure in the Lakers' lineup, playing a crucial role in their 2023 Western Conference finals run.
LeBron James, ever the keen talent scout, saw something special in Reaves early on. During a recent episode of his "Mind the Game" podcast, James reflected on his first impressions of the 6-foot-5 guard.
“His wiggle was very different,” James noted, highlighting Reaves' unique style that defies stereotypes. James recognized the guard’s ability to navigate through defenses and penetrate the paint, talents that were evident even during Reaves' college days at Oklahoma.
LeBron made it a point to instill confidence in Reaves from the outset, believing he belonged at the highest level.
It's rare for undrafted players to secure a spot in an NBA team's regular rotation, let alone reach the heights Reaves has. Averaging 23.5 points and 5.5 assists per game, with shooting splits of 49.4% from the field and 36.2% from beyond the arc, Reaves has become an indispensable asset for the Lakers.
Such is the trust and respect Reaves has earned that LeBron himself has embraced a new role as the team's third scoring option, with Reaves stepping up as a primary offensive force. This shift in dynamics has been fruitful, with the Lakers winning 12 of their last 14 games, solidifying their position in third place in the Western Conference.
As Reaves continues to excel, the Lakers' prospects in the NBA playoffs look increasingly promising. If his current form holds, Los Angeles might just exceed expectations this postseason.