Austin Reaves Swings for Success: From Lakers Star to Golf Hopeful
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves is known for his skills on the basketball court, but when he's not training, his passion lies on the golf course. Reaves, a self-proclaimed golf enthusiast, has frequently spoken about his love for the sport and his dedication to spending as much time as possible perfecting his swing. This dedication extends to participating in the American Century Championship Celebrity Golf tournament.
Last year, Reaves made his debut in the tournament, entering with promising odds. Despite initial high expectations, he finished tied for 13th place alongside NBA Hall of Famer Ray Allen. Now, he's back for another shot at the title, hoping to improve his performance.
Reaves' Odds and Competition
According to Jeff Sherman of Golf Odds, Reaves enters this year's tournament with +1600 odds, placing him eighth overall. The competition is fierce, with several former winners ahead of him on the list. Key contenders include Joe Pavelski (4/1), Stephen Curry (9/2), and Annika Sorenstam (10/1). Other notable players include Taylor Twellman (30/1), Vinny Del Negro (40/1), Tim Simons (500/1) and Charles Barkley (10,000/1). Reaves will need to bring his A-game to compete with these seasoned golfers.
Reaves' competitive spirit is well-known, and he's determined to make a strong showing at this year's tournament. The event, taking place from July 9-13 in Lake Tahoe, presents Reaves with an opportunity to showcase his golfing talents and potentially surprise the field.
Lakers Sign Jake LaRavia: A Smart Move for the Future?
The Los Angeles Lakers' first signing of free agency involved power forward Jake LaRavia on a two-year, $12 million deal. Rob Pelinka, president of basketball operations, highlighted LaRavia's high basketball IQ and two-way abilities, particularly his defensive disruption and offensive versatility.
"Jake is a high IQ two-way player with ideal skills for a JJ Redick basketball system," Pelinka said. "He’s a disruptive defender who uses his size and physicality to create turnovers. Offensively, he can score at all three levels and has a knack for creating space for himself and his teammates.”
LaRavia, a Pasadena native, showed promise with the Memphis Grizzlies last season, averaging 7.3 points per game on impressive shooting percentages before being traded to the Sacramento Kings. He finished the season with the Kings, contributing 6.1 points, 0.9 steals, and 3.8 rebounds per game. His effective field goal percentage of 56.4% underscores his efficiency.
At 23 years old, LaRavia is still developing, fitting well with the Lakers' vision for the future. His ability to spread the floor offensively and disrupt opponents defensively makes him a valuable addition to the team.