Out of all of the Team USA gamers who stepped on the courtroom throughout their 99-72 win over New Zealand within the 2023 FIBA World Cup on Saturday, it was Austin Reaves who obtained the loudest cheers from the group within the Mall of Asia Arena.
It did not come as a whole shock for Reaves, who received a heads up from Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy, about how massive of a fandom the Lakers have right here in Manila.
“I’ve kind of seen it coming. I was talking to Phil Handy and he was talking about me saying they love the Lakers out here so I’ve kind of seen it coming,” Reaves stated of their post-game convention.
How massive is Reaves right here?
Austin Reaves sends the world right into a frenzy.
Every time he does something. #FIBAWC x #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/jJTpHZKiiB
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 ???? (@FIBAWC) August 26, 2023
One banner even stated he was larger than his Lakers teammate LeBron James, or because the FIBA social media accounts learn it: “Austin Lebron > Reaves James”.
Austin Lebron > Reaves James#FIBAWC x #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/4MwTbPFleu
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 ???? (@FIBAWC) August 26, 2023
Reaves stated the love he received reminded him of his small hometown in Newark, Arkansas.
“I’m from a super small town, not a lot of people expected me to be here, representing our country,” he stated. “For them to accept me the way that they [have] accepted me, it means a lot to me.”
Austin Reaves talks concerning the love he obtained from the group in Manila #FIBAWC @gmasportsph @gmanews pic.twitter.com/dMEe5e3vVI
— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) August 26, 2023
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Earlier, Reaves registered 12 factors, six assists, and two rebounds.
Team USA will subsequent face Greece on Monday.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
