Two years after joining the Los Angeles Lakers, Austin Reaves has emerged as a fan darling. The Lakers are preparing to begin the regular season the following week, and his ability to contribute something extra to the team’s playing style and exceptional three-point shooting have solidified his position in the rotation.
His ascent to prominence as a member of the 17-time NBA champions was anything but straightforward, however. Before being drafted into the Lakers in the summer of 2021, Reaves was undrafted.
Prior to that, he spent his adolescence on his mother’s 300-acre farm in Newark, Arkansas, where he was forced to decide between farming and pursuing another career. The young guard had no intention of becoming a farmer, despite the impressive setup of his mother’s property in Arkansas. The following images depict the farm:
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He ultimately decided to pursue a career in basketball. In recognition of his importance to the Lakers’ rotation, Austin Reaves was rewarded with a $54 million, four-year contract.
