Austin Reaves Bio
Austin Tyler Reaves (born May 29, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Wichita State Shockers and the Oklahoma Sooners before joining the Lakers as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Reaves has become known for his scoring and playmaking abilities, earning nicknames such as “AR-15” during his time with the Lakers. He helped the Lakers win the NBA Cup in 2023 and signed a historic maximum contract in 2026, becoming the highest-paid undrafted player in NBA history. Reaves has established himself as a key contributor for one of the most storied franchises in professional basketball.
Early Life and Background
Austin Reaves attended Cedar Ridge High School in Newark, Arkansas, where he quickly established himself as a dominant basketball player. During his first two years of high school, he led his team to consecutive Class 2A state championships, showcasing his ability to perform at the highest level of high school competition. He scored 73 points in a triple-overtime victory over Forrest City High School, demonstrating his exceptional scoring ability and stamina. His junior year saw him continue his dominance on the court.
As a senior, Reaves averaged 32.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, leading the team to a Class 3A state championship. He was named MVP of the state tournament after averaging 43.3 points per game through four contests. Reaves was also a two-time Class 3A All-State selection. His high school career concluded with significant attention from college programs, and he ultimately chose to continue his basketball journey at Wichita State over offers from South Dakota State and Arkansas State.
Path to Basketball
Reaves began his college career at Wichita State in 2016, joining the Shockers program. During his freshman season, he played through a torn labrum in his left shoulder that he had been managing since his junior year of high school. He underwent surgery after the season to repair the injury. He also had surgery on his right shoulder, which had dislocated three times during his college career, causing him to miss games. Despite these challenges, Reaves averaged 4.1 points per game in a reserve role during his freshman year.
His sophomore season showed improvement as he averaged 8.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game while shooting 42.5 percent from three-point range. He recorded a standout performance with 23 points and four assists in a win over Tulsa, making seven three-pointers in the first half, which remains a program record for most three-pointers in a half at Wichita State. After his sophomore season, Reaves transferred to Oklahoma and sat out the following season due to NCAA transfer rules. During his redshirt year, he dedicated himself to weight training and added 20 pounds of muscle to his frame.
Upon his return to competition, Reaves blossomed into one of the top players in the Big 12 Conference. On March 7, 2020, he recorded a career-high 41 points, six assists and five rebounds in a win over TCU, leading a 19-point second-half comeback and making the game-winning shot with 0.5 seconds remaining. As a redshirt junior, he averaged 14.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and three assists per game, earning Big 12 All-Newcomer Team honors. During his senior season, he elevated his game further, averaging 18.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game to earn First-team All-Big 12 recognition. He scored 27 points in the NCAA tournament against top-seeded Gonzaga before declaring for the 2021 NBA draft.
Austin Reaves Career
Los Angeles Lakers (2021-Present)
Austin Reaves went undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft despite having a strong college career. Reports indicated he declined to be selected with the 42nd overall pick by the Detroit Pistons, opting instead to pursue opportunities elsewhere. On August 3, 2021, he signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. On September 27, 2021, the Lakers converted his deal to a standard NBA contract. Reaves made his NBA debut on October 22, 2021, scoring eight points off the bench in a loss to the Phoenix Suns.
On December 15, 2021, Reaves scored 15 points on excellent shooting, grabbed seven rebounds and hit a game-winning three-pointer in a 107-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. His first triple-double came during the season finale on April 10, 2022, against the Denver Nuggets. He recorded 31 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists in 42 minutes during the overtime victory, showcasing his all-around abilities.
Establishing His Role (2022-2024)
During the 2022-23 season, Reaves continued to develop his game and earn more minutes with the Lakers. On March 19, 2023, he scored a then career-high 35 points with six rebounds and six assists off the bench in a win against the Orlando Magic, scoring the final 10 points for the team. His strong play continued into the playoffs, where he made his NBA playoff debut on April 16, 2023, scoring 23 points in a win over the Memphis Grizzlies. He matched that performance in Game 4 of the same series, leading the Lakers in scoring in an overtime victory. His successful season earned him the nicknames “Hillbilly Kobe,” “White Kobe” and “AR-15,” although Reaves publicly expressed his dislike for such nicknames.
On July 6, 2023, Reaves re-signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year, $54 million contract. He began the 2023-24 season with eight consecutive starts before coming off the bench. On December 9, 2023, Reaves and the Lakers won the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, with Reaves scoring 28 points off the bench in the championship game against the Indiana Pacers. Throughout the season, he continued to showcase his growth as a player and became an increasingly important part of the Lakers’ rotation.
Breakout Performances (2024-2025)
The 2024-25 season marked significant growth for Reaves as he became an even more prominent scoring option for the Lakers. On December 25, 2024, he scored the game-winning layup and finished with a triple-double of 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a win over the Golden State Warriors. On December 28, he recorded a career-high 16 assists in a victory against the Sacramento Kings. On January 17, 2025, Reaves scored a then career-high 38 points in a close win over the Brooklyn Nets.
He broke that record on February 8, scoring 45 points in a win over the Indiana Pacers. With that performance, Reaves became the fourth Laker in the last 20 years to score at least 45 points in a game, joining Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. He also became only the sixth Laker ever to score a stat line of 45 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a single game. On April 3, 2025, Reaves had 31 points, six rebounds and three assists against the Golden State Warriors while making nine three-pointers. He surpassed Lakers great Kobe Bryant for the second-most three-point field goals in a single season in Lakers history with that performance.
Contract Extension and Continued Success (2025-2027)
The 2025-26 season began with Reaves establishing himself as one of the premier players in the NBA. On October 26, 2025, he recorded a near-triple-double of 51 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists in a win over the Sacramento Kings. His 51 points set a new career high and made him the eighth Laker to score 20 or more free throws in a single game. He also reached 500 career three-pointers with that performance. On October 29, Reaves scored a game-winning buzzer-beating floater and finished with 28 points and a career-high-tying 16 assists in a victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
On June 24, 2026, Reaves signed a four-year, $185 million maximum contract with the Lakers, making him the highest-paid undrafted player in NBA history. This contract reflected his transformation from an undrafted free agent into one of the most valuable players in professional basketball. The deal cemented his long-term future with the Lakers and recognized his contributions to the team’s success.
Playing Style and Strengths
Austin Reaves has established himself as a skilled scorer and playmaker in the NBA. His strengths include his three-point shooting ability, particularly in catch-and-shoot situations, and his effectiveness in transition. Reaves has shown the ability to create his own shot and make plays for teammates, making him a versatile offensive weapon. His basketball IQ and ability to play off successful teammates like LeBron James and Anthony Davis have contributed to his growth as a player. His improved physical frame after adding weight during his college career has also helped him compete effectively at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Reaves achieved several significant milestones throughout his career with the Lakers. He helped the team win the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament in December 2023, scoring 28 points off the bench in the championship game against Indiana. He recorded a triple-double with 29 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in a double-overtime road win over the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2023-24 season. His 45-point performance against the Indiana Pacers in February 2025 marked a career high at that point. By April 2025, he had surpassed Kobe Bryant for the second-most three-pointers in a single season in Lakers franchise history. His 51-point game in October 2025 set a new career benchmark.
Austin Reaves Career Wins
Austin Reaves has accumulated significant accomplishments throughout his basketball career, from his dominant high school career to establishing himself as a key player in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers. His journey from being undrafted to becoming one of the highest-paid players in the league demonstrates his exceptional growth and development as a professional athlete.
NBA Achievements
Reaves’ most significant team accomplishment came in December 2023 when he helped the Los Angeles Lakers win the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament championship. He contributed 28 points off the bench in the championship game against the Indiana Pacers. Throughout his NBA career, he has recorded multiple triple-doubles and numerous 30-point games, including his career-high 51-point performance against the Sacramento Kings in October 2025. His playoff experience includes scoring 23 points in his NBA playoff debut against the Memphis Grizzlies in April 2023.
College and High School Honors
Prior to his NBA career, Reaves achieved considerable success at both the high school and college levels. In high school, he won multiple Class 2A and Class 3A state championships at Cedar Ridge High School in Arkansas and earned MVP honors at the state tournament. At Oklahoma, he earned First-team All-Big 12 honors during his senior season and was named to the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team during his junior year. His career-high 41-point game against TCU showcased his ability to take over games offensively.
Austin Reaves Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Austin Reaves comes from a basketball family with strong athletic credentials. His parents, Nicole Wilkett and Brian Reaves, both played college basketball for Arkansas State. His mother averaged 21.3 points per game and earned all-conference honors as a senior. His father tied for third in program history with 384 career assists at Arkansas State. Both parents’ basketball backgrounds clearly influenced Reaves’ development as a player from an early age.
Reaves also has a brother named Spencer who pursued a professional basketball career. Spencer played college basketball for North Greenville and Central Missouri before embarking on a professional career with Juaristi ISB in Spain. As of the 2023-24 season, Spencer was playing for Rasta Vechta in the German Basketball Bundesliga. Austin has credited his brother for sparking his initial interest in basketball, highlighting the important role family played in his development as a player.
Personal Life
Reaves grew up as a Los Angeles Lakers fan, which made his eventual signing with the team in 2021 a dream fulfilled. His grandmother is German, which allowed him to obtain a German passport in 2022. In 2023, he expressed interest in potentially playing for Germany’s national team, reflecting his connection to his German heritage. However, he ultimately chose to join the 2023 United States national team for the FIBA World Cup, becoming only the third undrafted NBA player to play on a U.S. national team, following Ben Wallace in 2002 and Brad Miller in 2006.
Off the court, Reaves has established endorsement relationships in the basketball world. In March 2023, he signed a signature shoe deal with Chinese sports apparel brand Rigorer. He wore their shoes throughout the 2022-23 season, and the first shoe named the “AR1” was released in August 2023 through sneaker marketplace Kicks Crew. This partnership marked an important milestone in his professional career beyond his on-court achievements.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 season represented a breakthrough year for Austin Reaves with the Los Angeles Lakers. He transformed from a solid rotation player into a legitimate scoring threat and third option behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis. His development as a more aggressive scorer and playmaker elevated the Lakers’ offensive capabilities throughout the season. The chemistry he developed with his star teammates continued to grow, allowing him to thrive in his expanded role.
Reaves set multiple career highs during the season, including his 45-point performance against the Indiana Pacers in February 2025. That game placed him among elite company in Lakers history, alongside Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Anthony Davis as the only players to score at least 45 points in recent decades. His ability to score efficiently from both mid-range and three-point distance made him a difficult cover for opposing defenses. His 16-assist game demonstrated his growth as a playmaker when defenses keyed on the Lakers’ primary scorers.
Looking ahead, Reaves appears poised for continued success with the Lakers. His performance during the 2024-25 season established him as a cornerstone player for the franchise’s future. The Lakers’ investment in him through his contract extension reflects their confidence in his abilities and importance to the team’s championship aspirations. With his scoring, playmaking and clutch performances, Reaves has proven he can be a difference-maker in crucial moments of NBA competition. His trajectory suggests he will remain an integral part of the Lakers’ core for years to come.