Austin Reaves

Austin Reaves: biography

Austin Reaves is an American professional basketball player who currently plays as a guard for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Childhood and youth

Austin Reaves, whose nickname is ''Hillbilly Kobe'' was born on May 29, 1998, in Newark, Arkansas, and spent his childhood in the small town of Cedar Ridge, located in the Ozark Mountains. Growing up, Reaves was an avid basketball player and spent countless hours practicing and honing his skills.

Reaves attended Cedar Ridge High School, where he played basketball for the school's team. As a senior, he averaged 32.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game, leading his team to the state semifinals. Reaves was named the Arkansas Class 2A Player of the Year and earned a spot on the All-State team.

After graduating high school, Reaves committed to play college basketball at Wichita State University. He played two seasons for the Shockers, averaging 8.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. Reaves decided to transfer to the University of Oklahoma for his final two seasons of college basketball.

Throughout his childhood and youth, Reaves developed a strong work ethic and a passion for basketball that has carried him to the professional level. He is known for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions, as well as his sharpshooting from beyond the arc.

Basketball career

Austin Reaves' professional basketball career began in 2021, after going undrafted in the NBA draft. He signed with the Los Angeles Lakers for the NBA Summer League and had a strong showing, averaging 8.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. Although the Lakers did not sign him to a regular-season contract, Reaves caught the attention of other NBA teams.

In September 2021, Reaves signed a two-way contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He impressed the coaching staff during training camp and earned a spot on the team's regular-season roster. Reaves made his NBA debut on October 20, 2021, against the Utah Jazz, recording four points, one rebound, and one assist in 13 minutes of play.

Reaves has primarily played as a shooting guard for the Thunder, but has also seen time at point guard and small forward. He has shown an ability to score from all over the court, with a smooth shooting stroke and a crafty ability to get to the basket. Reaves has also demonstrated solid playmaking skills, averaging 2.9 assists per game during his rookie season.

On January 2, 2022, Reaves had a breakout game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, scoring a career-high 19 points and grabbing five rebounds in 26 minutes of play. He followed that up with a 17-point performance against the Houston Rockets on January 4.

Despite playing on a young and rebuilding team, Reaves has earned the trust of his coaches and teammates with his hard work and dedication. He has shown a willingness to take on any role asked of him, whether it be as a scorer, playmaker, or defender. Reaves' versatility and basketball IQ have made him a valuable asset to the Thunder.

Looking ahead, Reaves will continue to work on his game and develop his skills as an NBA player. He will look to build on his strong rookie season and establish himself as a key contributor for the Thunder in the years to come.

Prior to his professional career, Reaves played two seasons for Wichita State University, where he averaged 8.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. He then transferred to the University of Oklahoma for his final two seasons of college basketball.

During his junior year at Oklahoma, Reaves emerged as a scoring threat, averaging 14.7 points per game to go along with 5.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists. He was named an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection and was expected to take on an even larger role during his senior season.

Reaves did not disappoint during his senior campaign, averaging 18.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game. He was named First Team All-Big 12 and was a finalist for the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award. Reaves led Oklahoma to the second round of the NCAA tournament before the team was eliminated by the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Throughout his basketball career, Reaves has shown a dedication to the game and a willingness to put in the work necessary to succeed. He has proven to be a versatile player who can contribute in a variety of ways and has earned the respect of his coaches and teammates at every level.

Personal life

Austin Reaves keeps his personal life fairly private, but it is known that he comes from a close-knit family. He has spoken about the support he has received from his parents and siblings throughout his basketball career, and credits them for helping him stay grounded and focused on his goals. It’s known that he’s dating his girlfriend Jenna Barber, who is his high school sweetheart.

Reaves is also an advocate for mental health awareness, and has been open about his own struggles with anxiety and depression. He has spoken about the importance of seeking help when dealing with mental health issues and has used his platform as a professional basketball player to raise awareness about the topic.

In his free time, Reaves enjoys fishing and spending time outdoors. He has also been known to play video games with his teammates and enjoys watching movies and TV shows.

Reaves has expressed a desire to give back to his community, particularly through basketball. He has volunteered at youth basketball camps and clinics and has participated in community service events both in Oklahoma City and in his hometown of Cedar Ridge, Arkansas.

Achievements and accomplishments

• Named the Arkansas Class 2A Player of the Year in high school
• Named to the All-State team in high school
• Played two seasons for Wichita State University, averaging 8.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game
• Transferred to the University of Oklahoma for his final two seasons of college basketball
• Averaged 14.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game during his junior year at Oklahoma
• Earned First Team All-Big 12 honors during his senior year at Oklahoma
• Signed a two-way contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder in September 2021
• Made his NBA debut on October 20, 2021, against the Utah Jazz
• Recorded a career-high 19 points and five rebounds in a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 2, 2022
• Has shown versatility as a shooting guard, point guard, and small forward for the Thunder
• Advocates for mental health awareness and has spoken openly about his own struggles with anxiety and depression
• Volunteers at youth basketball camps and clinics, and participates in community service events.