Hoopers, take note: Being undrafted isn’t a death sentence. Just ask Austin Reaves.
Undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, Reaves has not only earned a place in the Los Angeles Lakers’ glittering roster, but he has also transformed into one of the league’s best players—a dynamic force on offense who can shoot the long ball, drive to the basket, and hit the midrange jumper.
Now in his fourth year in the NBA, the 26-year-old Reaves is having his best season yet, posting 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.1 steals—all career highs. He’s also getting to the line five times a game—also a career-best—and is making 88% of his free throws.
Despite the gaudy stats, Reaves is still just the third option in the Lakers with LeBron James and Luka Doncic being the Purple and Gold’s headliners and unquestioned main men. But, when needed, Reaves has time and again rose to the occasion, taking over playmaking duties and showing the Lakers—and the fans of the league—that he is more than capable of taking on a bigger role.
Already this season, AR15 has scored at least 30 nine times, highlighted by a 45-point, 7-rebound, 7-assist masterpiece against the Indiana Pacers when both LeBron and Luka were out and a 37-point, 13-assist showcase versus the Denver Nuggets in March.
These explosions are the type of games superstars are made of, and Reaves is more than capable of unleashing many more of these virtuoso performances.
It makes sense. He is, after all, an emerging superstar.
