The evolution of Austin Reaves

[thebigabd]

17 points, 6.5 assists, and 6 rebounds per game.
50% from the field
40% from 3pt line
87% from foul line

That's entering All-American territory if he keeps that up.

Averaging about 9 shots per game. Was averaging 12 shots per game last year. Has cut his 3pt attempts per game in half.

He had 92 assists in 31 games last year. He has 33 assists in 5 games this year. On pace to have as many assists in 15 games this year as he did in 31 games last year.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

Very nice....I like it.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

He is also getting to the line more as well. Anytime you can score more by shooting less is a win in my book. Has the ball in his hands more and has cut his TOs down

 

[soonerjunky]

Is he a NBA guy? Or is he too old? I know some NBA guys dont like seniors because of lack of upside.

 

[AdaSooner]

I’ll admit that I threw up a little in my mouth when CoachTalk said Austin would play the point this season. I had visions of behind-the-back dribble moves that would result in more turnovers, and all of the negative things I thought he might do if the ball was in his hands.

Boy, was I wrong! I couldn’t be happier with Austin in the role he is playing now. He seems to know instinctively when the team needs him to be a distributor and when he needs to score. Last night’s game was a prime example of what I mean.

Major props to Austin Reaves! I’m glad he’s a Sooner!

 

[thebigabd]

Is he a NBA guy? Or is he too old? I know some NBA guys dont like seniors because of lack of upside.

I don't think he's athletic enough or skilled enough for the NBA... He will do fine in Europe though if he wants.

 

[Darwin]

What we don't know is what Lon asked him to do last year, I don't recall him being benched or scolded. This year there is much more outside shooting on the floor which means more assists for him and less need for him to fill a void. But sure a seniors game IQ is likely better than a juniors. He would have more assists if his interior passes were finished at a better clip. If the rest of the team progresses thru conference, he and Brady could be 1st team All Conference.

 

[pnkranger]

I don't think he's athletic enough or skilled enough for the NBA... He will do fine in Europe though if he wants.

You must not be watching NBA preseason. Austin's got a lot more basketball savvy and "skill" than a lot of guys getting long looks. He's big. 6'5", 215 and long as a point/combo. His ability to run the pick and roll and to create for himself and others is not something everybody has ...

He'll get a good long look, and if he can tighten up a few things (catch and shoot for one), he'll have a chance to stick somewhere. Not an every night NBA player probably, but if Deonte Burton, Abdel Nader, or Talen Horton-Tucker can stick in the NBA, Austin Reaves definitely can.

 

[CoachTalk]

I’ll admit that I threw up a little in my mouth when CoachTalk said Austin would play the point this season. I had visions of behind-the-back dribble moves that would result in more turnovers, and all of the negative things I thought he might do if the ball was in his hands.

Boy, was I wrong! I couldn’t be happier with Austin in the role he is playing now. He seems to know instinctively when the team needs him to be a distributor and when he needs to score. Last night’s game was a prime example of what I mean.

Major props to Austin Reaves! I’m glad he’s a Sooner!

Thanks Ada...

I think as the season goes on he will look to score more and we will need him to score more vs tech, ku, baylor etc...

 

[BCSooners]

I don't think he's athletic enough or skilled enough for the NBA... He will do fine in Europe though if he wants.

I'd say he's definitely skilled enough, and not as bad an athlete as you might think.

Big question is how he does the rest of the season, improve catch & shoot, and can he find a fit.

 

[CoachTalk]

im over the NBA talk. Enjoy the players we have now!

 

[thebigabd]

What we don't know is what Lon asked him to do last year, I don't recall him being benched or scolded. This year there is much more outside shooting on the floor which means more assists for him and less need for him to fill a void. But sure a seniors game IQ is likely better than a juniors. He would have more assists if his interior passes were finished at a better clip. If the rest of the team progresses thru conference, he and Brady could be 1st team All Conference.

Lon let him do whatever he wanted last year... Austin clearly read my criticism of him on this forum, and listened to Andy Katz, and changed his own game.

 

[jmizzy4ou]

You must not be watching NBA preseason. Austin's got a lot more basketball savvy and "skill" than a lot of guys getting long looks. He's big. 6'5", 215 and long as a point/combo. His ability to run the pick and roll and to create for himself and others is not something everybody has ...

He'll get a good long look, and if he can tighten up a few things (catch and shoot for one), he'll have a chance to stick somewhere. Not an every night NBA player probably, but if Deonte Burton, Abdel Nader, or Talen Horton-Tucker can stick in the NBA, Austin Reaves definitely can.

Horton-Tucker is proving to be a very athletic perimeter defender for the Lakers, who is probably gonna steal minutes from someone this season. I agree Reeves will get a look, and I believe he may surprise some people....

 

[sheepdogs1]

He's getting to the foul line 8 times per game while shooting 87.5%. There is only one player in the nation who is shooting better from the free throw line and has also attempted more shots than Reaves.

 

[scrybe]

I’ll admit that I threw up a little in my mouth when CoachTalk said Austin would play the point this season. I had visions of behind-the-back dribble moves that would result in more turnovers, and all of the negative things I thought he might do if the ball was in his hands.

Boy, was I wrong! I couldn’t be happier with Austin in the role he is playing now. He seems to know instinctively when the team needs him to be a distributor and when he needs to score. Last night’s game was a prime example of what I mean.

Major props to Austin Reaves! I’m glad he’s a Sooner!

Don't be so hard on yourself, Ada. We have many longtime posters on this board who have made a career out of being wrong.

 

[AdaSooner]

Don't be so hard on yourself, Ada. We have many longtime posters on this board who have made a career out of being wrong.

Thank you, scrybe! I can always count on you to have my back.

That said, it doesn’t bother me to admit when I’m wrong. I’m very secure in who and what I am.

 

[soonerjunky]

im over the NBA talk. Enjoy the players we have now!

It helps the team going forward if Lon can get guys into the NBA. Blake, Buddy, and Trae really help OU recruit.

 

[thebigabd]

Don't be so hard on yourself, Ada. We have many longtime posters on this board who have made a career out of being wrong.

Poor, tick-ridden devils.

 

[scrybe]

Poor, tick-ridden devils.

LOL!

Or as Forrest Gump would say: Rat Bastids.

 

[daqman]

It helps the team going forward if Lon can get guys into the NBA. Blake, Buddy, and Trae really help OU recruit.

Didn't help us with Thompson or Collins. Or Alexander.

I always enjoy the time of year when Sooner fans start discussing our NBA prospects.