Austin Reaves aims to play this summer’s World Cup with Germany
The 24-year-old Lakers guard, a revelation in the NBA, is waiting for the green light from Gordon Herbert to play with Germany. He already holds a German passport.
Austin Reaves, the protagonist of the Lakers’ recent victories the Magic and the Suns, is not focused solely on the NBA. His career is taking off in the big North American league and he is keen to launch his international career. The 24-year-old shooting guard-forward, born and raised in rural Newark (Arkansas), wants to play for Germany and aspires to start in this summer’s FIBA World Cup.
German passport
Back in February, Bild revealed the player’s interest in playing for Germany after having discussed the issue with his team mate Dennis Schröder. He even held a telephone conversation with national team coach Gordon Herbert. It has since emerged that Reaves already holds a German passport, and according to Spox, it is only a matter of time before he is called up by Herbert to represent Germany.
Austin Reaves’ desire to play for Germany hasn’t happened by chance. He has German ancestry - one of his grandmothers was born there. Though that link he is eligible to play for the national team possible, although nothing has been confirmed yet. His brother Spencer, known in the LEB for his spells at Juaristi and Tizona, is currently playing in Germany (specifically at Brose Bamberg) and is also a citizen in possession of a passport. Now, to make the dream come true, the ball remains in the Federation’s court.
“I’m excited. I’m already feeling it”, Reaves said about the possibility of representing Germany at international level. In a situation similar to the one that has Italy in suspense with Paolo Banchero and France with Joel Embiid, for family connections, Reaves could take Nick Weiler-Babb’s place to become the only naturalized player that FIBA allows to participate in its tournaments. Reaves seeks to follow in the footsteps of Chris Kaman, who gained dual nationality thanks to a German ancestor and partnered Dirk Nowitzki in the German national team over a decade ago.
With Austin, Germany will try to wrest the world title from holders Spain - who also defeated them 91-96 in the 2022 EuroBasket semi-finals.