Every generation of basketball produces a few players who rise from obscurity to undeniable stardom. But Austin Reaves might be the most complete, compelling example of that journey in modern NBA history.

Reaves didn’t just slip in the draft; he wasn’t drafted at all. No lottery hopes, no team fighting for his rights, not even a late-second-round flyer. He entered the league overlooked, passed on, and doubted. But instead of folding, he turned that doubt into fuel.

His rise began quietly: fighting for a training-camp spot, earning the trust of the coaching staff, and forcing his way into the rotation through grit and consistency. Soon, Reaves became more than just a role player. He became a weapon.

By his third season, he was already a key playoff performer. By his fourth, he transformed into one of the Lakers’ most important players. And now, in the 2025–26 season, Reaves has taken another leap, the leap from good to great.

Reaves’ latest season is his strongest yet, showcasing exactly why he belongs in the conversation of elite undrafted players. His numbers tell the story, and if you’re watching his stats for this season alone, you would agree with me.

Those aren’t role-player numbers, they’re All-Star-calibre numbers. They’re the stats of a player who’s no longer just supporting LeBron, but carrying major stretches of the offence himself.  But Reaves’ value goes deeper than the box score. He’s clutch. He’s fearless. He plays with rhythm, confidence, and personality. And he never shrinks from the moment, something you can’t teach or measure at pre-draft workouts(Kobe would have been proud.)

Great undrafted players exist: Ben Wallace, Udonis Haslem, Fred VanVleet, Bruce Bowen. But none of them combined this level of scoring, playmaking, versatility, and upward trajectory at this early stage of their career.  Reaves isn’t just contributing, he’s ascending, season after season. From 7.3 PPG → 13.0 → 15.9 → 20.2. The curve is undeniable.

His story is proof that talent can be overlooked, but greatness can’t be denied. Austin Reaves is no longer just a feel-good narrative. He is becoming the blueprint,  the modern symbol that the draft cannot measure heart, work ethic, intelligence, or the will to become elite. Austin Reaves isn’t just one of the best undrafted players ever. He might be the best the NBA has ever seen, and he’s still getting better.