[ad_1]
Austin Reaves is a 6’5 ”guard who played for the Oklahoma Sooners. With an average of 18.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists, Reaves shone in his last year as a versatile initiator and playmaker. Not only did Reaves score across the pitch, but his game made him a dangerous threat to others. One area where he excelled was reaching the free throw line with an average of 6.8 free throws per game. On Monday, July 12th, Reaves trained with 5 other prospects for the New Orleans Pelicans. Participants in the training included Chris Duarte, Aaron Henry, Feron Hunt, Romeo Weems and Mitchell Ballock. Sources say Reaves had the strongest performance in the group. After his training, Reaves took some time to interview Bourbon Street Shots.
Minor changes have been made to the transcription for better readability.
Did you have the chance to see some of the city or to eat some of the food?
Not a lot to be honest. I mean, when you walk in somewhere you are usually tired and you might order something to eat. You can just try different things at Uber Eats or walk around a little, but other than that, it’s really just going to your hotel, eating a little, sleeping, and exercising.
How was the training with the pelicans structured?
It was a group training structure, like basically everywhere you go. They bring 6 guys so you can play 3v3, 2v2, 1v1 and so on. Through this process you get to know new people every day, it’s hard to remember names you hear. New people, new faces every day.
Do you know the players in the Pelicans roster and how do you see yourself possibly matching up with the likes of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram?
I’m a basketball head so I watch basketball a lot. I know the guys who got them. I’m a really good teammate, versatile and able to do multiple things. Like I said, I’m probably one of the most competitive people ever, so just going in and competing and giving 110 percent every day is something guys like Zion and Brandon Ingram really respect from younger guys.
You’re in their age group too
Reaves laughs: “That’s very true”
You do a lot of things on and off the ball and playmake – are there certain players in the NBA that you like to watch or that you would like to model your game from?
Yeah, I mean, like I said, I watch basketball a lot. Everyone’s drifting to more superstars in the league, you look at everyone so you can take little things with you here and there, but I’m a realist, I understand what I’m going to do and how I’m going to be effective. Someone I really enjoy watching and taking things from is Joe Ingles. If you look at the end of the game, the statistics sheet with his name on it might not be the best – it might just be very average or really good, but if you’re a basketball mind, even in the games where he doesn’t jump statistics from the sheet, there were several things he did during the game that did not appear on the stats sheet.
Is there any part of your game that you think will be overlooked?
I think passing the ball is overlooked, some. I wouldn’t say much. I feel like I’m really creative with the ball and really creative at involving other people. That would be the main thing.
If you look at the NBA, what do you think will be the biggest challenge in transitioning from college play to the NBA?
Speed and athleticism. In the NBA, you play against the best basketball players in the world – the most athletic guys. The 24-second shot clock also has to do with speed. It doesn’t take long to be honest, this is sure to speed up the game. So learn to control this and easily recognize these situations while making it a priority to learn them so that when you get there it isn’t that much of a problem.
Do you think the faster style of the NBA suits your game?
I do. Just getting out in the transition period – not just getting around the basket, but also involving other people and finding shooters in the transition period, I’m really looking forward to that.
This is going to be a really strange and specific question. The pelicans did some actions where they had a guard like JJ Redick for Zion as a ball handler. Obviously you were more of a screen receiver than a setter at this point, but what do you think about being used in creative ways to involve other ball handlers in different positions?
Yeah sure – like you said, the JJ Redick to Zion ball screen is a perfect picture. It creates so much chaos. You can’t really change it because a guy guarding JJ Redick isn’t going to be big and physical to compete with Zion, which not many people really are. But above all as a little guardian. Switching is a problem and he (Redick) is able to slide around the screen and read and get away from a lot of different actions, to be able to use my basketball IQ – I look forward to that. If not just for me, but the opportunity to get an open opportunity for someone else and create a disadvantage for our team in order to be successful.
As you go through these workouts, are you getting specific feedback and coaching that you can take with you to the next workout?
Yes! For sure. Something I’ve learned is to ask questions and really just pick people’s heads because these guys have been in basketball for X years and know the game at a high level, otherwise they wouldn’t be in the situations they are in All the teams I’ve worked for and all the guys I’ve met have been generous enough to provide feedback and let you know what you’re doing right, what you’re doing wrong just because they’re good people and they want to see that you are successful.
Final question – are you keeping up with the finale? What are your thoughts on that?
I am. I think it will be seven – I do. I think after last night, Milwaukee is taking game 4 (had them) and it goes back and forth. I think the suns pull it out in seven. This is my prediction. It looks like the home team won’t lose.
[ad_2]
