When Austin Reaves first walked into a Los Angeles Lakers practice gym in 2021, he wasn’t the confident playmaker fans see today.
Fresh out of Oklahoma and undrafted, he suddenly found himself face-to-face with one of the greatest players of all time-and the encounter shook him to his core.
LeBron James, still in peak form despite nearly two decades of NBA wear and tear, gave Reaves an unforgettable lesson in what it meant to compete at the game’s highest level.
“We were just playing and Bron was being Bron,” Reaves admitted. “And I was just kinda like, I don’t know if I can play to this standard. He hit like four baseline fadeaways, and I was just, ‘Alright, there’s nothing I can do.'”
For Reaves, it was a classic “Welcome to the NBA” moment, and one that left him questioning if he belonged. The realization stung. But instead of letting it define him, he used the experience as fuel to grow.
From undrafted rookie to reliable starter
Reaves‘ first season offered only flashes of promise. He averaged 7.3 points and 1.8 assists per game while struggling from deep, shooting just 31 percent beyond the arc. But those early numbers didn’t tell the whole story.
His basketball IQ, defensive hustle, and composure in pressure situations quickly earned him minutes.
By his second season, the results were impossible to ignore. His scoring jumped to over 20 points per game, his assists climbed near six a night, and his three-point shooting leapt to nearly 38 percent.
Suddenly, the player who once doubted his place was not only thriving but becoming a key offensive weapon for one of basketball’s most storied franchises.
That leap was especially meaningful considering his path. Overlooked on draft night, Reaves had gone from an afterthought to a starter in less than two years.
LeBron’s recognition of Reaves’ importance
Four years after humbling him in that first practice, James now speaks of Reaves as an essential part of the Lakers‘ attack.
Appearing on a podcast with Steve Nash, the four-time champion highlighted the matchup problems his teammate creates.
“Myself and Luka have the two best defenders, you know, every night. There’s not many teams with a third defender, and that third defender has to guard Austin Reaves,” James said.
James and Nash both pointed out that Reaves has never looked tentative, even when sharing the floor with global icons.
“He’s not waiting around,” James said with a laugh, noting his willingness to take shots and run the offense when the opportunity is there.
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