Austin Reaves #15 of the United States brings the ball up the court against Tremont Waters #51 of Puerto Rico in the second half of a 2023 FIBA World Cup exhibition game at T-Mobile Arena on August 07, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The United States defeated Puerto Rico 117-74. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines—NBA rising star Austin Reaves played a big role for the Los Angeles Lakers in booting out the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals last May.
Team USA head coach Steve Kerr, who also calls the shots for the Warriors, is seeing Reaves’ brilliance from a different perspective this time with the 25-year-old guard part of the United States’ 12-man lineup for the Fiba World Cup.
“He’s a connector. He’s a hell of a basketball player. He’s physical, shoots and passes it. Just so poised out there all the time,” said Kerr of Reaves in an interview with HoopJab recently.
“He’s a guy who enhances any lineup that he plays with,” Kerr added.
Austin Reaves #15 of the United States walks on the court during a break in the second half of a 2023 FIBA World Cup exhibition game against Puerto Rico at T-Mobile Arena on August 07, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The United States defeated Puerto Rico 117-74. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP
Reaves undoubtedly made USA’s job easier in the squad’s 117-74 win over Puerto Rico on Tuesday (Manila time) in an exhibition game.
The 6-foot-5 Reaves came off the bench and tallied nine points, four rebounds and four assists.
Kerr said Reaves also has the ability to seamlessly adapt to whatever situation he’s in.
“He fits in wherever we put him; that’s the beauty of Austin.”
The US, which is in Group C, opens its World Cup campaign against New Zealand on August 26 at Mall of Asia Arena before taking on Greece, minus Giannis Antetokounmpo, on August 28 and Jordan on August 30.