Austin Reaves 6-5 g Is officially a Shocker!

[1972Shocker]

I'm the guy who made the videos and run Movement Academy. I got really close with Austin last April. I knew Kyle Lindsted and told him he needed to come watch this skinny kid from the middle of nowhere and he took a chance and loved what he saw.

Perhaps Coach Marshall knew what he was doing when he hired Coach Lindsted. Gee, imagine that.

[Kel Varnsen]

New to the board but have been reading for awhile. Just want to tell you who I am and clear the air on a few things.

I'm the guy who made the videos and run Movement Academy. I got really close with Austin last April. I knew Kyle Lindsted and told him he needed to come watch this skinny kid from the middle of nowhere and he took a chance and loved what he saw. I'm also the one who came with Austin to Wichita for his unofficial visit. It was wonderful! We loved everything about the program and the city. It was an easy decision for him to commit!

To clear the air on some things.

Austin is eligible. His test scores were not great, but they are enough. His GPA is mid 3's. He's good to go on that front. However, he does need to have a shoulder surgery. It's not major. He had the same surgery on his other shoulder and is fine now. His surgery date and recovery time will determine if he is ready to go for this year. Like many of you have pointed out, he will probably end up at Sunrise rather than redshirt if he is not healthy in time to get into shape and get rolling for season.

Like the crazy Hogville guy said, Austin is the total package. He is all of those things that he mentioned and more. His parents both played D1 ball and he is the perfect mixture of both of them. He is a PG first and a scorer second but he has to score for his team to win. He is legit 6'5. He is a legit athlete. I actually posted a couple dunks from last night's game on Twitter they are pretty nice haha.

Austin did not really want to be a Razorback. That guy talking about him wanting to be a Hog and being able to give Austin to Arkansas on a platter is nonsense. Austin got big interest from Gonzaga over the summer and I think that was his initial #1. But they made him #2 priority so obviously that never came to fruition. He was about to blow up when he committed to Wichita St. On our way home from Wichita (in a blizzard lol) he and I got calls from Iowa St, Florida St, Vanderbilt, Purdue, Ole Miss, Indiana, Texas, and a few mid majors. They were all telling him to be patient cause they would be to see him in the coming weeks. But his mind was already made up. He almost committed on the spot while we were in Wichita but we talked it over and decided he better go home and sit on it for a few days. He called me right before me called Coach Marshall and said he was gonna commit that day that he was tired of all the other coaches telling him to wait lol.

Austin is a PHENOMENAL kid. He is also your stereotypical Arkansas kid (we aren't all that way lol). He talks slow and has a thick southern drawl. He doesn't like using his phone or any technology for that matter. The town he grew up has a population of under 1,500. He lives on a 300+ acre farm and was literally out feeding cows when he called Coach Marshall to commit. He's a duck hunter and the whole time we were on the Prairie he was glued to the window talking about how much he loved it. He's Yes sir, No sir and does anything you ask. He is phenomenal with kids and is extremely humble. I think he still can't believe he is where he is. He's grateful to be a Shocker and grateful to play in front of you guys for 4 years of his life. His favorite part of the whole visit was walking from the locker room to the tunnel and then out on the court in front of a full house.

Austin is my guy. Love him like a little brother and tell him all the time. He's going to take care of your program and do his best to take it where you want to go. Enjoy him. You are getting a great person, but also a cold blooded killer on the court!

Cant wait to get back up to Wichita!

Two things:

-In the running for best first post of all time.
-I was hoping to wait until Saturday to cry tears of joy. That ship has sailed.

[forevershockerfan]

Perhaps Coach Marshall knew what he was doing when he hired Coach Lindsted. Gee, imagine that.

Coach Marshall made a great move hiring Kyle, a Prep Coach, who has connections galore. Kyle is a class act, hard worker, and very likable. One of the many reasons 3G is so successful is that he surrounds himself with top-notch quality Coaches to help our Program progress forward.

[shockerfan34]

If Im remembering correctly, we received a very similar type of post from a guest who was very close to Fred and that turned out pretty well. From the sound of things, we'll have another kid of great character coming to Wichita which is fantastic.

[AndShock]

It does sound like Sunrise is likely but if he shows up here next year I might get a major case of deja vu...2 stud freshman guards, a 6'8" stretch 4 with great handles who can knock down the 3, an upperclassmen transfer PG. Get ready for the reload.

[ARShocker]

ARShocker. If you could keep us updated on his and Cedar Ridge's post season progress it would be most appreciated. It is hard to find scores and stats from his games.

Definitely! Tomorrow is a huge game for him. He clinched a trip to the state tournament last night but the rest of the regional tournament determines seeding. Cedar Ridge is hosting the regional tournament which helps... However it is by far the toughest region in the state. Cedar Ridge is ranked #1 in the Class 3A and tomorrow at 5:30 they play Episcopal Collegiate out of Little Rock. They are back to back defending state Champs in the 3A and are currently ranked #2 in that class. If Cedar Ridge wins that they will most likely get Jessieville (suburb of Hot Springs) in the regional final. Jessieville is ranked #3.

If Cedar Ridge loses tomorrow they will most likely get the 3 seed from their region which will match them up against a 2 seed from another region.

I'll be sure to keep you guys posted on tomorrow's game and how it affects them moving forward.

The game tomorrow is going to be fun. Cedar Ridge won state titles in 2013 and 2014 with Reaves starting at the PG as a freshman and sophomore. They were 2A at the time. ECS has won the last two 3A titles and have been to the last three championship games. Their best two players started as freshman on that first team that finished runners up and started on the two title teams. A lot of experience and talent on the floor tomorrow!

[WSUwatcher]

If Im remembering correctly, we received a very similar type of post from a guest who was very close to Fred and that turned out pretty well. From the sound of things, we'll have another kid of great character coming to Wichita which is fantastic.

Yes, that sounds about right. And the description of Reaves makes him sound in some ways like an Arkansas version of Ron Baker. So you have FVV and Baker rolled into one -- how's that for a future Shocker?

[tropicalshox]

Wow, I think we got another great one.

[pogo]

If Im remembering correctly, we received a very similar type of post from a guest who was very close to Fred and that turned out pretty well. From the sound of things, we'll have another kid of great character coming to Wichita which is fantastic.

That would be THE Mr CLove that told us about FVV and gave us his background as well as insights into his character. I have a really good feeling about this young man and his character. If he is being raised on a farm then he is no stranger to hard work. Cows don't care if its raining or cold they just want to be fed.

[im4wsu]

If Im remembering correctly, we received a very similar type of post from a guest who was very close to Fred and that turned out pretty well. From the sound of things, we'll have another kid of great character coming to Wichita which is fantastic.

And also regarding Ty Taylor, which I still have hope it works out very well also.

[AZ Shocker]

The first dunk, you don't really do that in the heat of the game do you? That was special.

Just ridiculous PLAY AND DUNK!!! I cant believe more people arent as impressed as I. He just scoops the ball up off the floor. Puts it behind his back to avoid a player standing in his way...and pretty much with wreckless abandoment tells the rim to just relax...its only gonna hurt for a second.

[ShockdaWorld]

Just ridiculous. I cant believe more people arent as impressed as I. He just scoops the ball up off the floor. Puts it behind his back to avoid a player standing in his way...and pretty much with wreckless abandoment tells the rim to just relax...its only gonna hurt for a second.

I think we've all been so blessed/spoiled by being able to watch Ron, Fred, and Evan all these years that we understand that being an incredible athlete or an exceptionally talented basketball player aren't always what makes a great basketball team. So much of the Shocks current success is based on BBIQ, heart, toughness, and a desire to get better every day. If this young man can bring those things to the table along with his athleticism and talent, which it sounds like he does, we are in for another very, very special player.

Edit: By the way, I was equally impressed with that play. Incredible!!!

[AZ Shocker]

I think we've all been so blessed/spoiled by being able to watch Ron, Fred, and Evan all these years that we understand that being an incredible athlete or an exceptionally talented basketball player aren't always what makes a great basketball team. So much of the Shocks current success is based on BBIQ, heart, toughness, and a desire to get better every day. If this young man can bring those things to the table along with his athleticism and talent, which it sounds like he does, we are in for another very, very special player.

Edit: By the way, I was equally impressed with that play. Incredible!!!

Oh no doubt! We have been blessed! Athleticism isnt everything. Mental toughness is what puts Ron, Evan and Fred over the top. They are all athletic of course.. but better people across the board. This young man "might" just be another Shocker great!!!

[WstateU]

If he is being raised on a farm then he is no stranger to hard work. Cows don't care if its raining or cold they just want to be fed.

That's a fact Jack!

[pogo]

That's a fact Jack!

Does that calf have a mother? Punch line from one of my favorite jokes.