Team USA’s Austin Reaves reacts after scoring a basket during the FIBA Basketball World Cup group C match between US and Greece at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay city, suburban Manila on August 28, 2023. (Photo by SHERWIN VARDELEON / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines–Jaren Jackson Jr. is not at all surprised that his Team USA teammate Austin Reaves is being showered with love in Manila during the Fiba World Cup.
In a roster of rising NBA stars, Reaves has been the center of attention for the basketball-crazed Filipino crowd, which has given the visiting Americans the hometown treatment at this year’s World Cup.
Jackson, who stars for the Memphis Grizzlies, admitted he is impressed by Reaves’ style of play.
“I’m not surprised. He’s incredible. The play style, the way he moves, the way he competes. [He’s] someone who plays hard, but still has a little bit of flair. I’ll be a fan too,” Jackson, the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, told reporters at the mixed zone after Team USA delivered a 109-81 beatdown of Greece to go 2-0 so far in the group phase.
A reporter told Jackson that some of the love may also have been due to the fact that Reaves plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most popular franchises in the world and in this country.
“Yeah, that’s a franchise that’s worldwide. I bet half the crowd are Lakers fans,” said Jackson.
From defense to offense, Austin Reaves is making things happen here 🤯#FIBAWC x #WinForUSA pic.twitter.com/iif4Zf5zKg
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 28, 2023
But it’s not like Reaves has not been living up to the hype. He is averaging 13.5 points in two games while leading Team USA in assists with six a game and an efficiency of 21.5. He also leads the US with 2.5 steals per outing.
Reaves has been powering the Americans’ second unit, along with Tyrese Haliburton, and sparking their breakaway after sluggish starts.
“The crowd appreciates what I bring to the table. Like I said many times, that means a lot to me. I never take anything for granted,” said Reaves.
Against the Greeks, Reaves put up 15 points–including a breakaway slam off his own steal to the delight of the crowd–along with five rebounds and six assists to get the Player of the Game distinction.
Team USA, which is already through to the next round, plays one more game in the group phase against Jordan on Wednesday, then two more against Lithuania and Montenegro from Group D for the rest of the week.
And if the first two games were any indication, expect the Philippine fans to continue making Manila a home away from home for Team USA.
“It’s crazy. they love their basketball. they know the game. They know us, they know everybody’s nicknames,” said Jackson of the fans.
“It feels really good to be appreciated outside your home. To really be in an environment you’re not used to be still that kind of get that some love, it’s welcome.”