JJ Redick's Quote About Austin Reaves Went Viral

JJ Redick spoke about Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves.

Jun 24, 2024; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka loosk on as head coach JJ Redick speaks to the media during an introductory news conference at the UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

On Monday afternoon, JJ Redick was announced as the Los Angeles Lakers head coach.

The 15-year NBA veteran had a successful career as a player, and this will be his first time at the helm of a team.

On Tuesday, the Lakers released a clip of Redick talking about Lakers star Austin Reaves.

The post from the Lakers had over 8,000 likes and 500,000 impressions in less than 13 hours.

Redick: "He's excellent. I cannot wait to coach Austin. One of the reasons I can't wait to coach him is because of his competitive spirit. He has a real mental toughness and competitive approach every single night."

“I cannot wait to coach Austin.” pic.twitter.com/CE4Kf3TVtD

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) June 25, 2024

Reaves is coming off a season where he averaged 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists per contest while shooting 48.6% from the field and 36.7% from the three-point range in 82 games (57 starts).

Apr 16, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans forward Larry Nance Jr. (22) during the second half of a play-in game of the 2024 NBA playoffs at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports / Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The 26-year-old played four seasons of college basketball for Wichita State and Oklahoma.

He went undrafted in 2021 and has spent each of his first three seasons in the NBA with Los Angeles.

His career averages are 12.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest while shooting 49.3% from the field and 36.5% from the three-point range in 207 games.

Mar 4, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) moves the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Gordon Hayward (33during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Lakers finished the 2023-24 season with a 47-35 record.

They beat the New Orleans Pelicans in the play-in tournament before losing to Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the NBA playoffs (in five games).

Dec 30, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) is defended by Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (13) in the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Lakers last won the NBA Championship in 2020.