Austin Reaves might be a star for the Los Angeles Lakers, but his real talent could be on the green. UCLA men’s basketball coach Mick Cronin believes the shooting guard is elite. According to the New York Post, the coach thinks that “if anybody in the NBA is better than him or as good as him,” it would be Steph Curry alone.
The elite talent of Austin Reaves
Reaves is clearly a heavy hitter in the NBA. He just signed a massive four-year, $184.7-million contract extension following a great season where he averaged 23.3 points and 5.5 assists. That level of success on the court clearly carries over to his golf game. The gap between Reaves and the rest of the league on the course is likely five or six shots. It is a massive margin for anyone to overcome.
The talent is undeniable. Cronin noted on Thursday at Big Ten media days that the guard is “that good.” It is a bold claim, but it makes sense when you look at his recent contract and stats.
Access to the best courses in LA
Getting tee times in Los Angeles is a nightmare for most people. Cronin explained that “anybody who plays golf in LA knows you can’t get on public courses, you can’t get the tee time.” He even claimed that “the robots take them all” and that the governor is involved in stopping them. This makes access to private clubs essential for a serious player.
Cronin helped solve this problem for the Lakers guard. He introduced Reaves to a friend who provided access to the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades. This connection helped the two men become “best friends.”
A ball hog on the fairway
Even with great talent, Reaves has some habits to work on. Cronin likes to joke that the player is a bit of a ball hog during their rounds. “My golfing buddy don’t pass it a lot,” Cronin said, adding that “so he shoots it a lot.” It sounds like the same aggressive style he uses to score points for the Lakers.
There is also some talk about his spending habits. Despite his huge new contract, the coach claims Reaves had been using a friend’s car for a full year. Even after buying a new car just last week, the coach noted that the player needs to learn how to save money.
