How Rui Hachimura First Noticed Austin Reaves’ Star Potential
The Los Angeles Lakers began the 2025–26 season inconsistently without LeBron James, yet one player quickly stood out: Austin Reaves. Forward Rui Hachimura recalled when he first recognized Reaves’ emerging stardom during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, where Reaves confidently went one-on-one with Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“I’m not gonna lie, three years ago, when I got traded here, I honestly didn’t know about him before. He was injured, I think, at that time,” Hachimura said. “I think he came back against Milwaukee. He made a move on Giannis at the top and finished with a layup. I was like, ‘Ooh, okay, he got it.’”
That moment convinced Hachimura that Reaves had the skill and confidence to become a key contributor. Since then, Reaves has continued to develop and is now playing the best basketball of his career.
Following a breakout 2022–23 season, Reaves has steadily improved and opened this season on a remarkable run. Over the first five games, he has averaged 34.2 points, 10 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting 60% from the field. His early-season highlights include a 51-point effort against the Sacramento Kings and a 41-point display versus the Portland Trail Blazers.
With LeBron James still recovering from sciatica and Luka Doncic out, Reaves has embraced a heavier role and is thriving under the spotlight.
Author’s Summary
Rui Hachimura vividly remembers the moment he saw Austin Reaves’ potential, a confidence that now fuels Reaves’ rise as the Lakers’ leading star in LeBron’s absence.