Every level of playing basketball leaves a massive crop of hoopers behind. It's what makes everyone in the NBA truly the best of the best. Getting to the top league in the world requires a ton of hard work. Taking it one step further and becoming one of the best in the NBA demands even more of it.
Austin Reaves has been an excellent example of someone who has refused to go away at every single one of those thresholds. Reaves went undrafted in 2021 before joining the Los Angeles Lakers and working his way up the ranks. Today, the 27-year-old is a bona fide star.
So, what does it take to go through a journey similar to the undrafted guard? Reaves tried to explain as much in a recent edition of SLAM online. The Lakers star knew his message was 'super cliche,' but still thought it needed to be shared in spite of that.
Reaves said, "I believe if you put the work in, at some point you will get an opportunity and [you have] to be ready to take advantage of that opportunity. It’s very easy to get frustrated with the process and things not going the way that you want them to go, but at any moment you can get that."
Austin Reaves' message of persistence and hard work is the right one
The Lakers guard added that at any point or any situation, it really just takes one person to believe in you enough. When they do, Reaves said you have to be 'professional enough' to seize that opportunity. Until then, it's a head down and keep working type of mindset.
A lot of what AR15 shared can be applied to all sorts of situations and environments, not just basketball. However, it is still a great message for those up and coming basketball players who will inevitably look to his rise as inspiration.
Reaves is one offseason away from becoming a max player in the league. That comes only five years after going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Reaves has upped his production in every single season of his career, showcasing more and more upside with every passing campaign. Somehow, every time there is a belief the peak has been hit, the talented offensive guard took things one step further.
Nobody does it without having help along the way. However, continuing to persevere through whatever circumstances come your way is the exact attitude that got Reaves to where he is today.