There may be no better way to find out that you’ve officially “made it” as an athlete or celebrity than how Lakers guard Austin Reaves did. The 25-year-old, who’s currently preparing for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, has been a hot-button topic since his stellar play during the 2022-23 NBA season, and specifically a major breakout in the playoffs.
Reaves recently spoke with Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times about a number of topics, including his contract extension, joining Team USA, and arguably the best of all, a play-by-play of how he met actor Will Ferrell.
As Reaves explained, he saw Ferrell, his favorite actor, at a charity event in Los Angeles. After admitting that he never asks for photos with anyone, Reaves explained he was willing to do so when he met the Anchorman and Step Brothers actor.
Then, Ferrell completely flipped the script on him.
“This might be the only time in my life that I actually ask for a picture,” Reaves remembered. “And he’s walking towards us, just walking and talking to people. And I go to introduce myself, and he was like, ‘“AUSTIN, I’m a huge fan.’ And I didn’t even know what to say. I was just like, ‘Uhhhhh. Me too.’”
Ferrell beat Reaves to the punch, and it's safe to say the Lakers guard received his "welcome to the NBA" moment in the process.
