Austin Reaves is an emerging talent in the NBA, playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. He grew up in a basketball family and excelled at Cedar Ridge High School, later shining in college at Wichita State and Oklahoma. Reaves turned professional in 2021 and has since established himself with impressive averages and a strong shooting percentage. His inspiring path from undrafted player to a key contributor for the Lakers highlights his potential and marketability. Uncover more about his career milestones and future prospects.
Early Life
Austin Reaves grew up in a basketball-oriented family, which heavily influenced his early passion for the sport. He attended Cedar Ridge High School, where he displayed his talent by averaging an impressive 32.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists during his senior year.
This remarkable performance earned him All-Conference honors, reflecting his scoring ability and versatility on the court. After high school, Reaves continued to develop his skills at the collegiate level, playing for Wichita State and later Oklahoma.
At Oklahoma, he made history by becoming the initial player to lead the team in points, rebounds, and assists, highlighting his all-around contributions to the game.
Family Life
Austin Reaves hails from a basketball-centric family. His parents, Nicole Wilkett and Brian Reaves, both exhibited their talents at Arkansas State University, where Nicole thrived as an All-Conference forward, averaging an impressive 20 points per game in her final season.
Brian, who played as a point guard, is certainly tied for third on the university’s career assists chart.
Austin also has a brother, Spencer, who continued the family tradition by playing basketball at Central Missouri.
The Reaves family’s deep-rooted connection to the sport has certainly influenced Austin’s own success on the court.
Career
Austin Reaves began his professional career with the Los Angeles Lakers after signing a Two-Way contract on August 31, 2021, and shifted to a standard NBA contract shortly thereafter.
Since then, he has made considerable strides, particularly apparent in the 2024-25 season where he averages 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game.
Reaves’s collegiate achievements include being a 2020-21 All-Big 12 Initial Team member and the primary player in Oklahoma’s history to lead the team in points, rebounds, and assists.
Throughout his career, he has maintained an impressive shooting percentage of 46.0% from the field and 87.8% from the free-throw line, highlighting his efficiency as a player.
Net Worth
As of 2023, Austin Reaves has an estimated net worth of approximately $3 million, primarily derived from his NBA contract and endorsements.
In July 2023, he signed a multi-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers that features an annual salary of $12.9 million. Throughout his career, Reaves has drawn notable salaries, including $1.5 million in the 2021-22 season, $2.1 million in the 2022-23 season, and an expected increase with his current contract.
His impressive performance on the court, highlighted by a career average of 20.2 points per game in the 2024-25 season, has further improved his marketability and earning potential.
The combination of Reaves’ professional NBA salary and potential endorsement earnings considerably contributes to his total net worth. Moreover, his inspiring path as an undrafted player who rose to prominence adds to his appeal for brands and sponsors.