Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Austin Reaves has become one of the NBA’s best success stories, turning an undrafted beginning into a starring role through poise, creativity, and an uncanny feel for the game. Equally comfortable making timely shots, setting up teammates, or drawing defenders into mistakes, his all-around offensive skill and competitive edge have made him an indispensable piece of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Here’s a detailed profile of basketballer Austin Reaves:

  • Full Name: Austin Tyler Reaves
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born May 29, 1998
  • Hometown: Newark, Arkansas, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 meters)
  • Weight: 206 pounds (93 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 7 inches (201 cm)
  • Shoe Size: Size 14 (US)
  • Shoe Brand: Rigorer AR1, Rigorer War Ender 1.0, Nike Kyrie 7
  • Jersey Number:
    • #11 – Wichita State
    • #24 – Oklahoma
    • #15 – Los Angeles Lakers
  • Position: Shooting Guard / Point Guard
  • High School: Cedar Ridge High School (Newark, Arkansas)
  • College:
    • Wichita State University (2016–2018)
    • University of Oklahoma (2019–2021)
  • NBA Draft: Undrafted in 2021 NBA Draft
  • Player Archetype: Secondary Playmaker / Foul-Drawing Combo Guard
  • Primary Offensive Role: Secondary ball-handler, pick-and-roll creator, advantage extender
  • Defensive Role: Team defender, positional perimeter defender, competes within scheme
  • Play Style: Craft-driven scorer who relies on footwork, hesitation moves, and foul manipulation rather than burst; excels in pick-and-roll reads and clutch shot-making
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right-handed
  • Athletic Profile: Below-average explosiveness, average lateral quickness, strong balance and coordination
  • Recruiting Status: Unranked / lightly recruited (3-star range)
  • Draft Status Detail: Went undrafted in 2021; signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers before earning a standard deal
  • Injury Status Category: Durable — generally available with no major recurring injuries; handles moderate workload consistently
  • Career Stage: Prime / Ascending Contributor
  • Comparison Style: Similar stylistic elements to Manu Ginóbili (craft, foul drawing, secondary creation) and Goran Dragić (change-of-pace scoring, pick-and-roll reads)
  • Teams Played For:
    • Los Angeles Lakers (2021–present)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: None
  • Siblings: Has one older brother, Spencer Reaves, who also played college basketball

Austin Reaves’ player archetype is best described as a secondary playmaker who thrives as a connective offensive piece, blending scoring and facilitation without dominating usage. Defensively, he operates as a disciplined team defender, holding his own positionally rather than generating high event rates. Offensively, he functions as a pick-and-roll initiator and advantage extender, leveraging strong decision-making and elite foul-drawing instincts. Physically, Reaves lacks top-tier explosiveness but compensates with balance, coordination, and functional size for a guard. His overall play style is defined by craft—hesitations, pace control, and manipulation of defenders—allowing him to consistently outperform his athletic profile and deliver efficient, high-impact minutes.

Scouting Report

Austin Reaves wins possessions because he understands timing as well as anyone. He isn’t blowing by defenders with raw burst, so he manipulates them instead—changing speeds off a ball screen, stopping just long enough to get a trailing defender on his back, or using subtle hesitations to force the big into an impossible decision. That’s where his pick-and-roll game becomes so effective. He’ll keep the dribble alive until the low man finally commits, then float a pass to the roller or skip the ball to the weak side without rushing the read. The scoring comes from the same patience. He has a knack for drawing defenders into his body before finishing with either hand, and he’s comfortable relocating after giving the ball up, which prevents possessions from dying once he makes the first pass. Defensively, he’s more reliable than spectacular. He rotates on time, tags rollers without losing sight of shooters, and generally understands where the next action is headed, although bigger wings can overpower him and explosive guards can force him into recovery situations where he has to concede an angle. The trade-off is that asking him to carry an offense every trip diminishes what makes him valuable in the first place. He’s much more dangerous sharing creation duties, attacking a defense that’s already shifting and punishing mistakes with efficient decisions rather than difficult shot-making. Put him next to a primary star who draws two defenders and surround the lineup with movement and spacing, and his game expands naturally. To me, there are shades of Manu Ginóbili in the deceptive change of pace and willingness to make unconventional reads, while a bit of Gordon Hayward shows up in the balanced mix of scoring, secondary playmaking and feel for fitting into almost any offensive structure.

Profile Notes & Context

  • Austin Reaves height with shoes is 6 feet 7 inches.
  • Austin Reaves playing weight is 206 pounds.

Sources:
ESPN — Austin Reaves Stats, News, Bio
NBA.com — Austin Reaves Player Profile
Basketball Reference — Austin Reaves Overview