Austin Reaves’ Rise Is a Testament to Talent, Grit-and the Right Mentors
Austin Reaves’ journey from undrafted rookie to rising star in Los Angeles is one of those stories that reminds you why people fall in love with the NBA. It’s about work ethic, belief, and seizing the moment. But as Reaves himself will tell you, no one makes that kind of leap alone.
In a recent interview, Reaves opened up about two veterans who helped shape his early years in the league: Rajon Rondo and LeBron James. And when you hear him talk about their impact, it becomes clear just how important the right voices in the locker room can be.
“Rondo was probably the first one,” Reaves said. “Everybody knows his IQ for the game. He studies the game unlike anybody else.”
That’s not just lip service. Reaves shared a story that paints a vivid picture of Rondo’s obsessive attention to detail: “We would have a game one night, and the next morning Rondo would ask me, ‘Hey, what happened at 5:45 in the first quarter?’ And if I didn’t know, it wasn’t good.”
That’s classic Rondo. He’s long been known as one of the smartest minds in basketball-a player who sees the floor like a coach and demands the same level of awareness from those around him. For a young guard trying to find his footing in the league, that kind of mentorship is invaluable.
Then there’s LeBron. While Rondo was the veteran mentor with the clipboard mind, LeBron was the all-world superstar who led by example and made himself available in every way.
“LeBron was someone else that was super helpful,” Reaves said. “Especially that first year. Any type of help he could offer, he was willing to.”
That willingness to guide a young player-while still carrying the weight of being the face of the franchise-says a lot about LeBron’s leadership. He didn’t have to take Reaves under his wing.
But he did. And clearly, it made a difference.
Reaves’ development has been steady and impressive. He’s carved out a significant role on a contending team, delivering in big moments and showing the kind of poise you don’t often see from undrafted players. But his story also underscores the value of veteran presence in an NBA locker room.
It’s easy to look at the end of the bench and wonder why certain names are still there. But players like Rondo, even in the twilight of their careers, can have a massive impact that doesn’t show up in the box score.
When Reaves entered the league in 2021, Rondo wasn’t the same player who helped the Lakers win a title in the bubble. He logged just 18 games that season.
But his influence? That was felt every day.
And LeBron-well, he’s still doing what he’s always done: producing at an elite level while lifting up the next generation.
Reaves’ story is built on his own relentless drive and talent. But it’s also a reminder of what happens when that drive meets the right guidance. In a league that’s constantly chasing the next big thing, sometimes the most valuable resource is the wisdom sitting right next to you on the bench.
The Lakers bet on Reaves. He bet on himself.
But behind the scenes, Rondo and LeBron helped lay the foundation. And that’s the kind of assist that doesn’t show up in the stat sheet-but makes all the difference.