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USA Today via Reuters

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USA Today via Reuters

The Los Angeles Lakers were a lost cause last season. Along with a flawed roster, luck never crossed their path. Even when a 37-year-old LeBron James put up a season for the ages, the purple and gold couldn’t make anything of it. However, in the middle of the all the drama with Russell Westbrook, the Lake show did find a gem. A 24-year-old undrafted rookie, Austin Reaves, became a two-way beast for them. Likewise, fans fell in love with him. But he wants a new nickname.

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Reaves spent most of his life back in the town of Arkansas. But he shifted to Oklahoma to get one step closer to his NBA dream. The now Lakers star was a force in his 2 years in college. In his final year, the guard averaged 18.3 points and 4.6 assists every game. However, his impressive showings didn’t get him a call-up during the draft. So, the Lake show went under the radar and signed him as an undrafted rookie. Safe to say, Reaves has become a big name among the fans. Just after one season, they gave him nicknames such as ‘AR-15’ and ‘Hillbilly Kobe’.

But for the man from Arkansas, he can’t get over the recent happenings. Hence, he wishes the fans can use their creativity once again.

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Lakers youngster sends a strong message

Reaves has become one of the most important pieces on the modern-day Lakers. He puts his heart and soul out on the floor to get across the finish line. With a clear winning mentality, Reaves is looking forward to changing the narrative with LA. And the fans are loving his mentality. But Reaves wants just one more favor from them.

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Lakers fans have come up with the nickname ‘AR-15’ for the Oklahoma guard. However, Reaves wants to stand for a message. The name matches a rifle used in the gun violence prevailing in the USA. And hence, Austin Reaves wants to move on. Fans had their say over the matter, including Ice Cube’s son, O’Shea Jackson.

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Despite being young and having the fans back him, Reaves wants to do it the right way. He wants his nickname to be something everyone can connect with in good faith. It’s great to see the level of maturity from the 24-year-old. Likewise, the Lakers are going to need him to show that on the court as well.

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Reaves had a successful rookie season, which ended in him signing a 2-year deal with the storied franchise. Just his journey from an undrafted rookie is inspiring enough, but Austin wants to create a legacy. His one passion is winning, and he is determined to be a focal point for the Los Angeles Lakers. With his skillset, the Lakers guard is going to be a big part of this coming season. Likewise, with the work he is putting in, the NBA world will hopefully see a much-refined version of Reaves.

READ MORE-Lakers Coach Darvin Ham Unleashes Massive 4 Word LeBron James Warning on Younger NBA Roster

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Do you think Austin Reaves will live up to the expectations bestowed upon him by the fans? Let us know your views in the comments below.

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Anuj Talwalkar

4,483 Articles

Anuj Talwalkar is a senior NBA Newsbreak specialist at EssentiallySports, trusted for his real-time coverage and fast, accurate updates on league developments. With five NBA seasons and two Olympics coverages under his belt, Anuj stands out as the go-to reporter for the NBA Matchday Newsdesk. As part of the EssentiallySports Journalistic Excellence Program, he continuously refines his hard reporting with grounded storytelling shaped by fan culture and court-level insights. An economics graduate and lifelong OKC fan since the Supersonics era, Anuj combines analytical thinking and a genuine passion for basketball. He’s recognized for both his live news coverage and feature writing, with aspirations to someday interview Russell Westbrook. Anuj’s reporting is marked by its reliability, depth, and strong connection to the pulse of the NBA.

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