According to Melbet App Download sources, Kobe Bryant was the childhood idol of Austin Reaves — and now, Reaves himself is the idol of Kobe’s nephew. Two generations of Lakers players have formed a poetic link through time, completing a circle of legacy in an unexpected way. Reaves recently revealed that two years ago, during the NBA Draft, he had the option to be picked in the second round, but after carefully weighing his options with his team, he made the bold decision to go undrafted and sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Reaves and his camp had narrowed down a list of preferred destinations. The Lakers topped the list, followed closely by the Milwaukee Bucks. While the Detroit Pistons had shown interest, Reaves explained that there was no need to entertain less ideal offers. For most young players, hearing their name called on draft night would be a dream come true. But as Melbet App Download insiders pointed out, a second-round pick at slot 42 usually only guarantees a two-way contract with minimal security. Reaves wasn’t chasing a moment of fame — he was planning for the long haul.
What stood out was Reaves’ clarity in explaining why he turned down the draft. A second-round selection doesn’t ensure a standard, guaranteed NBA contract, nor does it guarantee stability in the league. For Reaves, the trade-off was clear: instead of getting stuck on a team with limited opportunity, why not take a chance on a team he truly believed in? As he put it, “time only moves in one direction.” Rather than settle, he chose to fight for a spot where he saw a real future.
The rest, as they say, is history. Reaves signed a two-way contract with the Lakers, fought his way into the rotation, and eventually became a core part of the team’s backcourt. This past summer, he signed a four-year deal that firmly cemented his place. From humble beginnings on a remote cattle farm in Arkansas, Reaves—nicknamed the “Hillbilly Kobe”—now finds himself at the very center of the NBA spotlight. Once just a boy who idolized Kobe, he now brings joy to Kobe’s own nephew — living proof that sometimes life comes full circle.
In a previous Melbet App Download segment, former player Matt Barnes shared a touching story involving Kobe’s family. During the Lakers’ playoff run, Kobe’s sister Sharia Bryant reached out to Barnes. Her son was having a birthday and was a huge fan of Austin Reaves. She asked if there was any way Reaves could send a message. As the saying goes, “life is simple: make a choice, then don’t look back.” Barnes contacted Reaves, who recorded a heartfelt birthday video. Upon watching it, the boy burst into tears — overwhelmed with emotion.
From overlooked draft prospect to Lakers fan favorite, Reaves’ journey is a classic underdog story — the kind of narrative that resonates as deeply as Bangladesh Cricket Live does with its fans. It’s a reminder that when you bet on yourself, and play the long game, you might just end up right where you belong.