(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)Most probably didn’t expect rookie Austin Reaves to garner much attention during Los Angeles Lakers media day today. Much of the focus has understandably been on LeBron James, and the many new veteran surrounding him.
Reaves, a native of Newark, Arkansas (population ~1,200), began his college career at Wichita State, before becoming a standout scorer at Oklahoma. After averaging 18.3 points and 4.6 assists per game in 2020-21, he signed with L.A. as an undrafted free agent.
It didn’t take long for his new pro teammates to warm to him. Today, he revealed he’s been dubbed him with quite the nickname: “Hillbilly Kobe.”
We’ve seen a few Lakers roleplayers given nicknames inspired by the late Kobe Bryant in recent years. Alex Caruso, a fan favorite who is now a Chicago Bull, became the “Bald Mamba,” a play off of Kobe’s “Black Mamba” moniker. Now, Reaves is next in line.
Austin Reaves said he was nicknamed HBK in Oklahoma. "Hillbilly Kobe." 😂
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) September 28, 2021
Reaves says the nickname stems from his time at Oklahoma. It is pretty neat, since apparently he grew up watching Bryant and the Lakers, and his grandmother’s a diehard fan of Kobe.
They call him Hillbilly Kobe: Austin Reaves, the newest Laker. He picked up that nickname at Oklahoma, and his grandma is “a die-hard Kobe fan.” pic.twitter.com/OE6qQWcYf7
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) September 28, 2021
Austin Reeves on being called "Hillbilly Kobe" – Said the nickname came from an Oklahoma GA.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) September 28, 2021
Lakers fans are already taking to it.
From now on Austin Reaves will ONLY be referred to as the Hillbilly Kobe 🤣
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) September 28, 2021
Austin Reaves confirms his nickname is "Hillbilly Kobe" which is absolutely hilarious. HBK.@RyanWardLA | #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/yTVTKXsWRQ
— SHOWTIMEFORUM (@showtime_forum) September 28, 2021
If Austin Reaves “Hillbilly Kobe” isn’t known as The Barn Mamba by the end of the season Laker Nation has failed him.
— The Pettiest Laker Fan 🤫 (@ThePettiestLA) September 28, 2021
Hillbilly Kobe is my new favorite nickname
— Jabari Ali Davis (@JabariDavisNBA) September 28, 2021
Apparently not everyone has gotten the memo about “HBK” though.
Talen Horton-Tucker on Austin Reaves' nickname being Hillbilly Kobe: "Seriously?" pic.twitter.com/F2gZZQTXcS
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) September 28, 2021
Give it time, Talen. It seems to be sticking.
Lakers training camp begins today. The team opens preseason on Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets, while regular season play starts up on Oct. 19, with a home game against the Golden State Warriors.
