Team USA men’s basketball is preparing for the FIBA World Cup, with the team recently playing a game against Puerto Rico in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Despite a rough start to the game, Team USA came into their own and crushed Puerto Rico with an incredible second-half performance and some crafty plays from Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves.
One former member of Team USA that has been paying close attention to this year’s squad ahead of the FIBA World Cup is Dallas Mavericks superstar guard Kyrie Irving, who recently talked about Anthony Edwards sporting the No. 10 jersey that he and Kobe Bryant once wore.
Along with praising Edwards for being the next in line to wear No. 10, Irving showed some love in a stream to Reaves for some moves he made against Puerto Rico that he learned from Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy, via Hoop Central.
Kyrie watching Austin Reaves hoop. 🔥😂
(h/t @kyriecenterig)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) August 11, 2023
After going undrafted and signing a two-way deal with the Lakers a few years ago, the guard out of the University of Oklahoma has made quite an impression in Los Angeles, earning a big role on the team and recently signing a lucrative long-term deal with the storied franchise.
Reaves has not only made an impression while playing for the Lakers and becoming a household name as a result, but he’s also turning heads playing for Team USA, with head coach Steve Kerr recently singing his praises.
Irving is the latest to give Reaves some recognition for what he can do on the basketball floor, and he likely won’t be last if he can keep up this level of play for Team USA and the Lakers.
NEXT:
Gregg Popovich Has Hilarious Admission On Why He Keeps Coaching