Jake LaRavia: A Rising Star for the Lakers
Although not widely recognized, Jake LaRavia is making a name for himself in the NBA. Drafted in the first round out of Wake Forest in 2022, the Lakers forward has played for three teams but garnered little attention—until his recent standout performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Impressive Performance
With the Lakers missing key players like LeBron James and Luka Doncic due to injuries, LaRavia earned his second consecutive start. He had an outstanding game, scoring 27 points on 10-of-11 shooting, including hitting five of six from beyond the arc.
Fan Reactions and Recognition
Despite his impressive stats, LaRavia played somewhat under the radar. Fans in Minneapolis found themselves questioning, “Who is No. 12?” as he dominated the game, prompting LaRavia to acknowledge them with smiles and waves.
Social Media Buzz
After a particularly successful three-pointer that extended the Lakers’ lead, a fan’s shout, “Who is No. 12?” caught the attention of injured Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards. Edwards humorously expressed his own confusion on the bench, which brought more attention to LaRavia’s performance, even leading LaRavia to humorously engage on social media.
Impactful Contributions
The Lakers ultimately triumphed with a score of 116-115, thanks in large part to Austin Reaves, who also had a stellar game. LaRavia credited Reaves for most of his scoring opportunities, noting that being aggressive on the court was crucial for his performance.
Adapting to a New Role
Having transitioned from the Grizzlies to the Lakers, LaRavia faced challenges early on, including a less-than-stellar debut with the Lakers. However, support from Coach JJ Redick and General Manager Rob Pelinka helped him shift his mindset to a more aggressive scoring approach.
Looking Ahead
In addition to his scoring, LaRavia contributed with eight rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block in the game against Minnesota. Coach Redick praised his defensive contributions as well, noting that LaRavia’s work on both ends of the court set him up for future success as the Lakers face his former team, the Grizzlies.
Report by staff writers Broderick Turner and Thuc Nhi Nguyen.
