Austin Reaves might effectively have been on Germany’s FIBA crew and contributed to their unbeaten run, however as a substitute he’s enjoying for Staff USA.
USA will try to convey the Germany’s dream run to an finish on Friday within the FIBA World Cup semi-finals.
The Lakers guard admitted he was near enjoying for the German aspect if Steve Kerr’s USA crew hadn’t provided him a spot of their aspect.
His former LA teammate Dennis Schroder performed a giant function in making an attempt to persuade the 25-year-old to characterize.
“Dennis was clearly all 12 months asking me the potential for me enjoying for the German crew sooner or later and I used to be open to it,” Reaves mentioned at Staff USA observe on Thursday. “Clearly, I advised him straight up that I wasn’t going to play this summer season as a result of I needed to relaxation and we had a long term…
“Then the US alternative offered itself and he was the primary individual I texted and I mentioned that I obtained this chance and I can’t say no to it. I simply needed to let you realize earlier than all of it broke and clearly he was tremendous supportive like he mentioned congrats and all that stuff so if this didn’t current itself, it was in all probability one thing which may occur sooner or later.”
We noticed former USA consultant Eric Gordon swap allegiances to play for the Bahamas only in the near past, which helped the nation on their quest to a maiden Olympics berth for basketball.
So it’s definitely doable that Reaves might play for Germany “sooner or later”, as he says.
The capturing guard is from Arkansas, so pretzels and big beers aren’t precisely second nature to him.
“My grandma is from there,” Reaves advised reporters when requested what’s the most German factor about him. “My brother performs over there…you realize I obtained these ties, however we’re right here.”
Watch USA v Germany at 8:40 a.m. ET on ESPN2 on Friday, or to learn how to look at the sport in your nation or territory, examine the FIBA web site.
