Austin Reaves: stats, last game & news

When Austin Reaves hits seven three-pointers in a single half at Wichita State, setting a program record, few could imagine he would become the third undrafted player in history to join the U.S. national team for a FIBA World Cup.

Born in rural Arkansas, Austin Tyler Reaves grew up on a 300-acre farm where basketball ran in his blood. His parents, Nicole Wilkett and Brian Reaves, both starred at Arkansas State — she as an all-conference forward, he as the program's third all-time leading passer. That athletic heritage exploded at Cedar Ridge High School, where Austin led his team to three consecutive state titles. His legendary 73-point performance in a triple-overtime victory and his 43.3 points-per-game average in his final season, capped by a state tournament MVP award, already hinted at an exceptional talent.

Despite persistent shoulder injuries that followed him from high school through college, Reaves persevered. After setting his record at Wichita State, he transferred to Oklahoma where he broke out: averaging 18.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists in his senior season, earning a spot on the First-Team All-Big 12.

Overlooked in the 2021 NBA Draft, the shooting guard joined the Lakers as a free agent and quickly turned that opportunity into a springboard. His versatility and composure in crucial moments made him a key piece of the California franchise. That rapid rise culminated in his historic selection for Team USA in 2023, confirming that Austin Reaves had definitively left the fields of Arkansas for the heights of world basketball.