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Lakers News: Title-Winning Rival Coach Explains Austin Reaves’ Team USA Fit

He will thrive no matter what!

Noel Sanchez

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Even though it feels like we will not be watching our Los Angeles Lakers all take the floor together for a very long time as the offseason is in full effect, do not worry guys... Austin Reaves will be playing basketball again very soon. Among a number of the NBA's other young stars, Reaves announced that he would be representing Team USA in the 2023 FIBA World Cup this summer.

Team USA has their first official game scheduled for August 26th against New Zealand so that means it will be a little over a month before we see our 25-year-old guard hit the hardwood again in a competitive match. Reaves broke onto the scene this past season and went from a fan favorite to arguably the third best player on a Lakers squad that went on a nice playoff push to reach the Western Conference Finals.

It felt like with every postseason game that passed, the second-year guard got more and more confident. LeBron James and Anthony Davis even began deferring to him in close games and he delivered. Reaves will have to earn minutes next to other elite guards such as Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Brunson but with his play style, he can fit smoothly on most rosters.

And Stever Kerr, head coach of the Golden State Warriors, believes that Reaves will excel once he gets comfortable in FIBA.

“Austin is one of the rising young players in this league,” Kerr said. “What you look for in FIBA is versatility. You want size defensively, the ability to switch and guard multiple positions and you want playmaking. You want guys who can make shots but also put the ball on the floor and are good passers. Austin is just, to me, he’s a basketball player. He’s a guy who impacts winning at a really high level.”

(Via OC Register)

Kerr has seen a number of the best players to ever come through the NBA and he can identify talent better than most. He described all of the positives about Reaves' game perfectly and we cannot wait to see him suit up for us this coming year but first... he'll throw on some Team USA threads.

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Noel Sanchez
NOEL SANCHEZ

Noel is currently in his third year at California Polytechnic University of Pomona and is pursuing a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in Multi-Media Journalism. He has always had a deep passion for sports and writing.

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