Austin Reaves today is one of the best young talents on the Los Angeles Lakers roster. Having played two seasons in the NBA, the future looks bright for the 25-year-old. Austin was no different during his college days. His exceptional skills and impressive performances played a key role in the development of his game.
Austin Reaves at Wichita State
In his freshman season, Austin took time to develop his skills for collegiate-level basketball. Known for his shooting ability and agility at the time, Austin struggled to maintain consistency on the offensive end but was slightly more effective defensively. In 33 games played, Austin averaged 4.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists.
Austin Reaves began his sophomore season with better expectations, averaging a slightly better stat line of 8.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, two assists, and 0.5 steals in the regular season. Reaves was a better team player and more confident with his abilities this time around.
Reaves also demonstrated improved scoring efficiency by shooting 45% from the field and 42% from beyond the arc. Austin showcased tremendous versatility by improvement in his game, making him a trusted fixture in the Shockers’ rotation line.
Transfer to the University of Oklahoma
After spending two years with Wichita State, Austin announced that he would be transferring to the University of Oklahoma. The decision to transfer to Oklahoma provided the Lakers guard with new challenges and opportunities in one of college basketball's top conferences; the Big 12 Conference. Despite having to acclimate himself to a different system under head coach Lon Kruger's guidance, it didn't take long for him to establish himself as one of the Sooners' go-to players.
During his Junior season at Oklahoma (2020-2021 season), Reaves took his scoring potential to the next level while also demonstrating growth both individually and as part of team success. He played crucial roles offensively while polishing his defensive skills simultaneously, putting his improved all-around game on display.
By the conclusion of the regular season, Reaves emerged as the second most consistent scorer for the team, averaging 14.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, three assists, and one steal per game. Reaves maintained his top-level play in the conference contention, averaging 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists on 38% shooting.
In his senior year, Reaves surpassed expectations and became the top scorer for the team. He averaged 18.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists and nearly one steal per game with 44% field-goal shooting. He posted similar numbers during the conference contention as well, but couldn’t get the team to the NCAA tournament.
Austin Reaves' time playing college basketball both at Wichita State and Oklahoma revealed not only his exceptional individual skills but also highlighted his adaptability and willingness to rise to new challenges. His performances consistently stood out among his peers and served as an inspiration for younger talents. With such a successful collegiate career behind him, it comes as no surprise that Austin Reaves caught the attention of NBA scouts and ended up with the Los Angeles Lakers despite going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft.
FAQs
A. austin Reaves went to Ceader Ridge High School. It is Located in Newark, Arkansas
A. Austin transferred to Oklahoma on May 15, 2018.
A. Austin Reaves plays the Shooting Guard.
A. Austin Reaves was part of the 2021 NBA draft but he went undrafted. He later signed a two-way contract with the Lakers.
