The Team USA team for the 2023 FIBA World Cup is made up of younger players that are eager to make their international debut. Among them is Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves, who is keen to prove that his late-season success last season was not a fluke.
And he did exactly that in the team’s first scrimmage, scoring all nine of his points in the first half to go along with four rebounds and four assists in Team USA’s 117-74 triumph over Puerto Rico. Team USA outscored Puerto Rico 67-31 in the second half, including a 20-0 run between the third and fourth quarters.
When Reaves entered the arena for the first time late in the first quarter, he was greeted with a standing ovation by Lakers fans all around the place, including some family members in the front row. It didn’t take long for Reaves to give them something to cheer about, as he sank a corner 3-pointer shortly after entering the game, followed by the Lakers’ iconic ‘freeze’ gesture.
Reaves would then hit two amazing stepback jumpers, one near the free throw line after a beautiful behind-the-back move and the other on a baseline drive leading to a fadeaway. Reaves’ final basket came after he attacked a closeout, drove down the baseline, and finished with a fantastic finger roll. While he did not score in the second half, Reaves had some excellent defensive plays, pestering the Puerto Rican guards and making things difficult as Team USA moved away.
The Lakers guard played 19 minutes off the bench, tied for the second-most for head coach Steve Kerr with the Brooklyn Nets’ Cameron Johnson, who had a team-high 15 points, while Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton played 21 minutes off the bench, finishing with seven points and 12 assists.
Overall, Team USA put forth a balanced effort, with all five starters scoring in double figures, headed by Anthony Edwards’ 15 points. Former Lakers wing Brandon Ingram scored 11 points and was the only player to make multiple 3-pointers, while Jalen Brunson had 11 points and 12 rebounds. Mikal Bridges had 14 points and three steals, and Jaren Jackson Jr. had 12 points and two blocks.
But for Reaves, whom Steve Kerr has labeled as a ‘connector’ on this Team USA roster, it was a terrific debut in which he demonstrated all of the ways he can aid this team as they prepare for the FIBA World Cup.
Team USA’s next assignment
Following a strong showing in Las Vegas, Reaves and squad USA will travel to Spain for a pair of scrimmages, the first against Luka Doncic and Slovenia on August 12 and the second against FIBA’s top-ranked squad in Spain on August 13.
