Los Angeles-Lakers Guard Austin Reaves You can accept new nicknames.
During the surprisingly successful rookie season, when Reeves became a two-way designation from an undrafted prospect, signed a two-year contract and became a starter, he’s been on the Lakers’ loyal AR-15. I picked up that Monica. And “Hillbilly Kobe”.
Reeves can be separated from both.
“I don’t tolerate gun violence in our country,” Reeves told ESPN. “But you really can’t control what [nickname] People give you. I mean, I didn’t come out and I didn’t say that my name was that. Some, like “Hillbilly Kobe,” are probably not the best in the current situation of Kobe’s death. “
University of Florida quarterback earlier this week Anthony RichardsonLike Reeves, wearing his uniform number 15, also quit the AR-15 Association.
“The nickname is just a nickname, and the” AR-15 “was just a combination of my initials and jersey number, but my name and brand are not associated with the assault rifle used in. It is important. I don’t tolerate mass shootings in any way, “Richardson shared in a Twitter statement.
Reeves, 24, came across Richardson’s story and was impressed by the up-and-coming junior, 21.
“I’m happy with him. I want him to use his voice,” Reeves said. “Everyone should be free to talk about what they believe in. I think we need to stand up like this and say what we really feel. By doing so, we raise our eyebrows. Or look things up, so I’m happy with him and hope he’s none other than the best. “
The AR-15 semi-automatic rifle was used in May at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, killing 21 people (mostly children). According to USA Today, it has been the weapon of choice in 11 mass shootings in the United States since 2012.
“Every time that happens, your heart just falls and you feel a family that has an attachment to them all,” Reeves said.
Reeves wore number 12 in his “lifetime” but had to choose a different number when he came to LA. Kendrick Nunn I have already insisted on it. After trying number 31 in the league last summer (the number his brother wore and the number his mother wore on the basketball court), he decided that the smaller one was better for him.
“I really didn’t like what it looked like to me. 15 is very similar to 12. 5 and 2 are just flipped over,” he said about number 31.
Newark, Arkansas grew up shooting guns, but its usage was very different from how cannons were part of the genocide that plagued the United States.
“It’s literally just farmland,” Reeves said of his small hometown, which boasts a population of only 1,200. “People hunt. You hunt deer. You hunt ducks. You hunt turkeys. You do all of them.”
He hopes his play this season will inspire Lakers fans to come up with a new label for him.
“I’m always embracing new ideas,” he said. “Because you can stick to the old ones and there’s always something better, so I’m always open to new things and keep people really open and thinking about new things. It helps us even in branding situations. “
Best of all, after the Lakers struggle last season, Reeves wants to be branded as a winner.
“The main goal is to win a basketball game,” Reeves said when asked to stay ahead of his goals for the second season. “That’s all I care about. I won. I was disappointed last year, but I had to turn the page and figure out how to mesh it and make it work.”
