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Austin Reaves describes Filipinos as 'big Laker fans'
Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers is heading to the Philippines soon as part of the US men's national basketball team which will play in the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Ahead of the World Cup, Reaves talked about how big a basketball nation the Philippines is.
In a video posted by the 2023 FIBA World Cup on its social media accounts on Wednesday, Reaves was asked about Filipino basketball fans.
"I've heard that they're big Laker fans which I love obviously," Reaves said. "But they're huge basketball fans all in all."
Austin Reaves reveals his dream all-time USA starting five ????#FIBAWC x #WinForUSA ???????? pic.twitter.com/EaM5n0Sdfu
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 ???? (@FIBAWC) August 16, 2023
Reaves also talked about other players he is looking forward to compete against in the global basketball tourney.
"I definitely want to play Dennis [Schröder]," Reaves said. "He's a really good friend of mine. Obviously he's going to Toronto next year which I'm kind of sad about but I'm happy for him."
"But I definitely want to compete against him," Reaves said about his former teammate.
The Toronto Raptors recently acquired the services of Schröder in a multi-year deal.
The Lakers guard also talked about Team USA coach Steve Kerr and what he brings into the team.
"I think it's just a lot of high IQ to the game and a sense of, that kind of championship DNA because he's won four in the past 10 years or so, so I think he's just a professional at his job," Reaves said.
As a player, Kerr has won the NBA championship five times, and won the title four times as coach of the Golden State Warriors.
For Reaves, winning in the World Cup "means everything."
"Winning at the end of the day is the main goal anytime you step on the floor, but to put the USA across your jersey and go win, that's the main goal," he added.
He is also one of the many NBA stars who will see action in the World Cup, including the likes of Jordan Clarkson for the Philippines, Luka Doncic for Slovenia, and Karl Anthony Towns for the Dominican Republic.
The United States will open their World Cup campaign against the New Zealand Tall Blacks on August 26, followed by Greece on August 28, and Jordan on August 30.
The Philippine men's national basketball team Gilas Pilipinas, meanwhile, will open their World Cup campaign on August 25 against Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena, followed by their matches against Angola on August 27 and Italy on August 29 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Along with the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia will also host the group stage matches of the World Cup, while the final phase of the tournament will be held in Manila. The men's basketball World Cup will run until September 10.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
