Austin Reaves Bio
Austin Tyler Reaves is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on May 29, 1998, in Newark, Arkansas, he played college basketball for the Wichita State Shockers and the Oklahoma Sooners. Nicknamed “AR-15,” he joined the Lakers as an undrafted free agent and has quickly made a name for himself in the league. Reaves has demonstrated impressive skills on the court, contributing significantly to his team’s success since his debut.
Early Life and Background
Austin Reaves attended Cedar Ridge High School in Newark, Arkansas, where he showcased his basketball talent early on. He won back-to-back Class 2A state titles during his first two years and scored an impressive 73 points in a triple-overtime victory over Forrest City High School. As a senior, Reaves averaged 32.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, leading his team to a Class 3A state title. His outstanding performance earned him the MVP award of the state tournament, where he averaged 43.3 points over four games. On January 20, 2016, he committed to play college basketball for Wichita State, choosing them over offers from South Dakota State and Arkansas State.
Path to Basketball
Reaves’ journey in college basketball began at Wichita State, where he faced challenges, including a torn labrum in his left shoulder that required surgery. As a freshman, he averaged 4.1 points per game in a reserve role. After undergoing another surgery for a torn labrum in his right shoulder, he improved in his sophomore year, averaging 8.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. He made history by hitting seven three-pointers in a single half during a game against Tulsa. After his sophomore season, Reaves transferred to the University of Oklahoma, where he sat out a year due to NCAA transfer rules. During his redshirt year, he gained 20 pounds and prepared for a successful return to the court.
Austin Reaves Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Austin Reaves went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft but signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers on August 3, 2021. He was later signed to a standard NBA contract on September 27, 2021. Reaves made his NBA debut on October 22, 2021, scoring eight points off the bench in a game against the Phoenix Suns. He quickly gained recognition for his performance, scoring 15 points and hitting a game-winning three-pointer against the Dallas Mavericks on December 15, 2021. During the Lakers’ season finale on April 10, 2022, he recorded his first career triple-double, achieving 31 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists in a thrilling overtime win against the Denver Nuggets.
Breakthrough (2022–2023)
The 2022–2023 season marked a significant breakthrough for Austin Reaves. On March 19, 2023, he scored a career-high 35 points in a game against the Orlando Magic, where he played a crucial role in securing the victory. In the first round of the playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies, Reaves scored 23 points in his first NBA playoff game, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. His successful rookie year led to him receiving various nicknames, including “Hillbilly Kobe,” “White Kobe,” and “AR-15,” although he expressed his dislike for these labels.
Notable Works and Milestones
Reaves’ signature work includes his impressive performances during the 2022–2023 NBA season, where he became a key player for the Lakers. He was instrumental in the team’s playoff run and earned recognition for his scoring ability and clutch performances.
Austin Reaves Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Austin Reaves has received several nominations and accolades, particularly for his outstanding performances during the college and professional seasons. His contributions to the Lakers have not gone unnoticed, and he is recognized as a rising star in the league.
Austin Reaves Awards Won
Austin Reaves has achieved significant milestones in his career, including being part of the NBA Cup champion team in 2023. He was also named to the First-team All-Big 12 in 2021 and recognized as part of the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team in 2020.
Austin Reaves Family
Austin Reaves is the son of Nicole Wilkett and Brian Reaves, both of whom played college basketball for Arkansas State. His mother was particularly notable, averaging 21.3 points per game and earning all-conference honors as a senior. Reaves has a brother, Spencer, who also played college basketball and is currently pursuing a professional career in Europe.
Personal Life
Growing up, Austin Reaves was a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers, which made joining the team even more special for him. He has expressed pride in his family’s basketball legacy, and his brother’s influence sparked his interest in the sport. Reaves holds a German passport due to his grandmother’s heritage and has expressed interest in representing Germany in international competitions, although he ultimately chose to play for the U.S. national team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
