The rise of Austin Reaves from an unheralded college basketball player who went undrafted to a key contributor on the Los Angeles Lakers has been quite a story over the last couple of years.
In the fall of 2021, not many people expected much from him. But he was instantly thrust into the Lakers’ regular rotation, and he proved he could play. This past season, he emerged big time, and he was rewarded with a new four-year contract worth more than $50 million as well as a spot on Team USA’s FIBA World Cup roster.
Fox Sports 1 personality Skip Bayless compared Reaves’ rise to that of Jalen Hurts, the magnificent quarterback who led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance last season (h/t Heavy.com).
“He makes the team, and then he starts to play more and more,” said Bayless. “That first year, he shoots 32% from three, and last year he shot 40% from three. It’s Jalen Hurts-like where, all of a sudden, you transform yourself at the highest level into a very accurate passer.”
When he was in college, Hurts had many doubters, especially after he was benched at halftime of the 2018 College Football Playoff national championship. But in 2022, he put together an MVP-caliber season and is considered one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
Reaves also had to overcome doubters, and there are still some who doubt he is for real. But between his carefully crafted skill set and his will and desire, he isn’t going away anytime soon.