The Lakers forward, Jake LaRavia, who’s been quietly torching nets all month, has turned a viral moment into a masterclass in keeping cool under pressure. And when your name gets dragged into an Anthony Edwards meme, the only thing you can really do is laugh, or drop 27 on his team, which is exactly what LaRavia did. 

After the Lakers’ 120–130 win over Miami, LaRavia finally addressed the viral “Who’s No. 12?” moment from Minnesota that turned him into a trending topic. “Yes, sir,” he grinned when asked about it.

“I kind of put my hands up like this and agreed with them, like, whose number 12? I kind of played into it a little bit, find that kind of stuff funny because I am not well-known at this moment. So I’m just, you know, head down, working hard. That’s all I do.” And that’s exactly how it’s gone for the 24-year-old.

Head down, working hard, and the results? Well, loud. LaRavia has hit 60% from the field and 50% from three this season. Against Minnesota, he went 10-for-11. Against Miami? Another 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists in just over 34 minutes. The message from JJ Redick and Rob Pelinka to “be yourself a little more” seems to have done the trick.

When the reporter pressed him on how it felt to finally be recognized, LaRavia didn’t shy away from the humor. “Yeah, I think it’s good. Shout out to Anthony Edwards for allowing that clip to go viral. Yeah, I think it’s funny,” he said. Even the crowd probably didn’t expect their hoots to widen up a Lakers breakout story. That’s the thing about moments like these.

They travel fast, but they also reveal something deeper. For LaRavia, this wasn’t just about proving he belongs in a rotation that includes Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton. It was about showing he can be relied upon when stars sit. The Lakers needed shooting and someone who doesn’t flinch when attention turns loud. LaRavia checked all three boxes and then some.

Jake LaRavia’s growth from bench to key piece

It’s easy to forget how recent this surge has been. A few months ago, LaRavia was struggling to find his rhythm. He’d shot just 4-of-16 in earlier appearances for LA and looked like a player still figuring out how to fit. Now, under Redick, his role has clarity. 

The Lakers’ bench has been one of their biggest transformations this season. Last year, they ranked 29th in bench scoring. Now, thanks in part to LaRavia and Dalton Knecht, that second unit looks better. But while Knecht brings scoring, LaRavia offers balance and defensive anticipation that keeps him on the floor during the closing minutes.

It’s also reflected in the numbers. When LaRavia shares the floor with Austin Reaves and Vanderbilt, the Lakers boast a +16.2 net differential across 64 minutes. Reaves’ impromptu playmaking works because LaRavia’s spacing gives him room to operate. And when the ball swings back, Jake’s been automatic. Off the court, his personality fits LA’s energy.

He’s approachable, self-aware, and not afraid to laugh at himself, a combination that fans have embraced quickly. The social media crossover, from Jenna Barber’s playful Instagram tag to fan edits of his highlights, shows how fast the city’s taken to him. And that $12 million deal?

It’s aging well. Pelinka’s decision to bet on LaRavia’s fit alongside Redick’s system might be one of the Lakers’ wiser offseason calls. Because what started as a depth signing has turned into a legitimate rotation gem, one who’s proving he can shine even when the lights come with jokes attached.

LaRavia, to his credit, tied it all together the best way he could. “I heard it about three times,” he said of the heckling. “It’s funny, man.” A smirk and a shrug later, that viral “Who’s No. 12?” might be the most ironic question of the year.