Austin Reaves is an American professional basketball player born on May 29, 1998, in Newark, Arkansas, currently playing as a guard for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA.[1][2] Nicknamed "AR-15," he stands 6'5" and weighs 197 pounds, having entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2021 after a standout college career.[1][2] Reaves began at Wichita State University, playing for the Shockers from 2016 to 2018, where he appeared in 66 games with 11 starts, averaging 8.1 points and shooting 42.5% from three as a sophomore.[4] He transferred to the University of Oklahoma, starting all 25 games in his senior 2020-21 season, averaging 18.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.6 assists, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors.[1][3] Notable college performances included 27 points against Gonzaga in the NCAA tournament and a 10-game double-digit scoring streak.[1][3] Joining the Lakers, Reaves debuted on October 22, 2021, scoring eight points off the bench.[1] He quickly emerged with key moments, like a game-winning three-pointer against Dallas on December 15, 2021.[1] His breakout came in 2025, scoring a then-career-high 38 points versus Brooklyn on January 17, followed by a 45-point, 7-rebound, 7-assist game against Indiana on February 8—the fourth such 45-point outing for a Laker in 20 years, joining Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis.[1] On October 29, he hit a buzzer-beating floater with 28 points and 16 assists to beat Minnesota.[1] He also reached his 500th career three-pointer.[1] Internationally, Reaves represented the U.S. at the 2023 FIBA World Cup as only the third undrafted NBA player selected, after Ben Wallace and Brad Miller.[1] As of early 2026, he remains active in his fifth NBA season, contributing to the Lakers' strong 16-5 record.[2] High school stardom included state titles and a 47.8-point tournament average.[3][4] (298 words)[1][2][3][4]