Following his standout performance in the 2023 FIBA World Cup for Team USA, Lakers guard Austin Reaves remains grounded about his prospects of making the national team roster for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Despite showcasing his skills in the World Cup, Reaves acknowledged the competitive landscape for securing a spot on the Olympic squad, considering the expressions of interest from renowned NBA superstars.
At the FIBA World Cup, the 25-year-old Reaves emerged as a pivotal contributor for Team USA, delivering an impressive performance off the bench, ranking among the top scorers, steal leaders, and assist providers for the Americans. However, the team concluded the tournament in a disappointing fourth place.
In the wake of the announcement that several NBA superstars, including LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, and Joel Embiid, have expressed their intent to participate in the upcoming Olympics, Reaves acknowledged the challenges of competing against such high-caliber players for a coveted spot on the Team USA roster.
“Obviously, if I get the opportunity – great,” he said. “But I understand what kind of kind of caliber guys want to play in the Olympics. Like I said, if I get that call to play, I’ll be the first one to say ‘yes.’ But it’s not like I’m not realistic with myself sometimes.”
