Lakers News: Highlights From Austin Reaves' First Official FIBA Victory
Los Angeles Lakers starting shooting guard Austin Reaves is returning to the only NBA franchise he's ever known this fall, after agreeing to a four-year, $53.8 million contract in restricted free agency, the most LA could offer the 6'5" swingman out of Oklahoma.
But before he embarks on his third season with Los Angeles, the two-way perimeter role player is opening eyes to just how good he is this summer on Team USA's FIBA World Cup roster under head coach Steve Kerr.
Reaves is currently playing off the bench, but already made a huge contribution during the program's first official win of the 2023 FIBA World Cup tournament on Saturday. Team USA did go 5-0 in its exhibition games earlier this month, but now the game actually start to count.
Team USA bested New Zealand 99-72, and Reaves' contributions on both ends of the hardwood were critical during the effort. Let's unpack some highlights.
At the end of the game's first quarter, after Team USA rallied from being down 14-4 to knot things up 16-16, Reaves gave the club a lead with this triple off a dish at the top of the key from Indiana Pacers All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton.
He was reigning triples throughout the first half, as demonstrated here, where he catches the rock off a Jalen Brunson handoff-turned-screen, followed by another courtesy of Jaren Jackson Jr. The resulting separation gives Reaves the space he needs to execute a slick trey, while showing off his handle to boot.
This pull-up elbow fadeaway shows off just how diverse his portfolio of jumpers can get:
Finally, the NBA's official Twitter account captured a slick Reaves block that resulted in a cross-court outlet to a driving Anthony Edwards at the other end:
All told, Reaves scored 12 points while shooting 4-of-6 from the floor, dished out six assists and swiped three steals for Team USA.
As an encore, Team USA will next do battle against Team Greece (without Giannis Antetokounmpo, don't worry) on Monday morning at 5:40 a.m. PT.
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