Rui Hachimura Discovers Austin Reaves: The Lakers' Rising Star
Introduction
The Los Angeles Lakers are facing a challenging start to their season, holding 3 wins and 2 losses, while LeBron James manages issues with sciatica. Amid this uncertainty, a new standout has risen — Austin Reaves. This piece explores Rui Hachimura’s discovery of Reaves, highlighting his impressive skills, growing reputation, and performances that have drawn attention from fans and analysts alike.
Rui Hachimura’s Discovery of Austin Reaves
Rui Hachimura, entering his third season with the Lakers, recently reflected on his first impressions of Austin Reaves. After joining the team from the Washington Wizards in early 2023, Hachimura admitted he had not known much about Reaves until a specific game changed that view.
“I honestly didn’t know about him before. He was injured at that time,” Hachimura said. “Then he made a move on Giannis and scored a layup. I thought, ‘okay, he got it.’”
That moment left a lasting impression, revealing Reaves’ strong game instincts and composure. Since then, Reaves has become a vital part of the Lakers’ roster, contributing significantly to their overall performance. Currently, he is averaging 34.2 points, 10 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game, maintaining an impressive 60% shooting efficiency.
Author’s Summary
Austin Reaves’ rise from a quiet bench player to one of the Lakers’ key stars shows how talent and opportunity can align when least expected.