GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
Team USA's Austin Reaves talks about Manila's love for him
Out of all the Team USA players who stepped on the court during their 99-72 win over New Zealand in the 2023 FIBA World Cup on Saturday, it was Austin Reaves who received the loudest cheers from the crowd in the Mall of Asia Arena.
It didn't come as a complete surprise for Reaves, who got a heads up from Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy, about how big of a fandom the Lakers have 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 said in their post-game conference.
How big is Reaves here?
Austin Reaves sends the arena into a frenzy.
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 ???? (@FIBAWC) August 26, 2023
Every time he does anything. #FIBAWC x #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/jJTpHZKiiB
One banner even said he was greater than his Lakers teammate LeBron James, or as the FIBA social media accounts read 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 said the love he got 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 said. "For them to accept me the way that they [have] accepted me, it means a lot to me."
Austin Reaves talks about the love he received from the crowd in Manila #FIBAWC @gmasportsph @gmanews pic.twitter.com/dMEe5e3vVI
— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) August 26, 2023
Read more | FIBA World Cup Preview: A Serbian correspondent breaks down Gilas Pilipinas vs Angola
Earlier, Reaves registered 12 points, six assists, and two rebounds.
Team USA will next face Greece on Monday.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
