Austin Reaves college basketball career began at Wichita State before he transferred to Oklahoma, where he developed into one of the Big 12’s most productive guards and established the foundation for his NBA career.
Reaves spent two seasons with the Wichita State Shockers and two seasons with the Oklahoma Sooners. He sat out the 2018-19 season after transferring to Oklahoma, then returned to the court as a redshirt junior in 2019-20. By his senior season, he had become an All-Big 12 First Team selection and one of the conference’s most versatile players.
His college journey is especially notable because Reaves did not enter the NBA as a highly touted lottery prospect. Instead, he improved significantly after moving from Wichita State to Oklahoma.
That development helped him become an undrafted NBA player in 2021 and eventually establish himself with the Los Angeles Lakers. As of the latest 2026 update, the Lakers have re-signed Reaves to a four-year deal, making his college development an important part of the story behind his professional success.
Where Did Austin Reaves Go to College?
Reaves attended two Division I colleges during his basketball career.
He began at Wichita State University in Kansas. Reaves played two seasons for the Shockers from 2016-17 through 2017-18.
After his sophomore season, he transferred to the University of Oklahoma. NCAA transfer rules required him to sit out the 2018-19 season before becoming eligible for Oklahoma.
Reaves then played two seasons for the Sooners, competing during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.
His college timeline can be summarized as follows:
| Season | School | Class | Key information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | Wichita State | Freshman | 4.1 points per game |
| 2017-18 | Wichita State | Sophomore | 8.1 points per game |
| 2018-19 | Oklahoma | Redshirt | Sat out after transfer |
| 2019-20 | Oklahoma | Redshirt junior | 14.7 points per game |
| 2020-21 | Oklahoma | Senior | 18.3 points per game |
The numbers show a clear progression. Reaves moved from a supporting role at Wichita State to becoming Oklahoma’s leading offensive option.
Austin Reaves at Wichita State
Reaves began his college career with Wichita State during the 2016-17 season.
As a freshman, he appeared in 33 games and averaged 4.1 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 11.8 minutes per game. He also shot 28-for-55 from three-point range, a 50.9% rate.
His role expanded during his sophomore season.
In 2017-18, Reaves played 33 games and made 11 starts. He averaged 8.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 21.5 minutes per game.
His three-point shooting remained a major part of his game. He made 54 of 127 three-point attempts that season, good for 42.5%.
Reaves was particularly effective in American Athletic Conference play. He shot 45.1% from three-point range during conference games and led the AAC in three-point percentage during league play.
That season also produced one of the most memorable individual performances of his Wichita State career.
On January 28, 2018, Reaves scored 23 points against Tulsa while setting a Wichita State school record by making seven three-pointers in the first half.
He followed that performance with consecutive 20-point games. Reaves scored 20 points against Temple on February 1 and 22 points at Memphis on February 6.
Those performances helped demonstrate that Reaves could become more than a spot-up shooter.
Why Did Austin Reaves Transfer to Oklahoma?
After two seasons at Wichita State, Reaves decided to transfer.
Oklahoma announced his addition in May 2018. At the time, the Sooners described him as a versatile 6-foot-5 guard who could shoot and create opportunities for teammates.
Reaves had considered several schools before choosing Oklahoma. He later explained that relationships, opportunities and the overall environment influenced his decision.
The move also gave him an opportunity to expand his offensive game.
At Wichita State, Reaves had primarily developed as a shooter. Oklahoma coaches wanted him to become more comfortable handling the ball, attacking defenders and creating his own shots.
That transition became especially important during his redshirt season.
Austin Reaves’ Redshirt Season at Oklahoma
Reaves did not play during the 2018-19 season because NCAA transfer rules required him to sit out after moving from Wichita State to Oklahoma.
Although he could not participate in games, the season became an important development period.
Oklahoma head coach Lon Kruger later explained that Reaves used the year to work on multiple aspects of his game.
He improved his ability to put the ball on the floor, drive toward the basket, create separation and finish around the rim. He also worked on his free-throw shooting and added strength.
Kruger said Reaves had taken advantage of the year away from competition by preparing for his next season.
That additional development became visible once Reaves finally suited up for Oklahoma.
Austin Reaves’ First Season Playing for Oklahoma
Reaves made his Oklahoma debut during the 2019-20 season.
He immediately became a major part of the Sooners’ offense.
During his redshirt-junior season, Reaves averaged 14.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game across 31 games. He started every game he played.
His scoring ranked sixth in the Big 12.
Oklahoma also recognized him with two conference honors. Reaves earned a spot on the Big 12 All-Newcomer Team and received All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recognition.
His production represented a major jump from his two seasons at Wichita State.
At Wichita State, his career scoring average was 6.1 points per game. At Oklahoma, he more than doubled that figure during his first eligible season.
The improvement showed that his transfer had allowed him to take on a much larger offensive role.
The 41-Point Game That Put Reaves in the Spotlight
One of the defining moments of Reaves’ Oklahoma career came during the 2019-20 season against TCU.
Oklahoma trailed by 18 points at halftime on the road. Reaves then produced a spectacular second half as the Sooners completed the comeback.
He finished with 41 points, five rebounds, six assists and three blocks. He also made 15 of 16 free-throw attempts.
Most importantly, Reaves scored the game-winning basket with 0.5 seconds remaining.
Oklahoma identified the victory as the largest road second-half comeback in Big 12 history at the time. His 41 points also represented the highest single-game scoring total by a Big 12 player since Trae Young scored 44 points in 2018.
The performance highlighted the broader development in Reaves’ game.
He was no longer simply a perimeter shooter. He had become a player capable of creating offense, attacking the basket, making plays for teammates and taking responsibility in crucial moments.
Austin Reaves’ Senior Season at Oklahoma
Reaves returned for the 2020-21 season as a senior and took another significant step forward.
He started all 25 games he played and averaged 18.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 0.9 steals per game. He shot 44.3% from the field and 86.5% from the free-throw line.
His senior season included several outstanding performances.
Reaves scored a career-high 32 points at TCU on December 6, 2020. He also recorded nine assists in that game and made 16 free throws.
Later in the season, he produced a four-game stretch with at least 20 points in every game. That run included 28 points against West Virginia, 20 against Iowa State, 25 at Kansas State and 22 against Oklahoma State.
He also scored 23 points against Missouri in the NCAA Tournament and followed that with 27 points against Gonzaga.
Those performances reinforced his status as Oklahoma’s primary offensive leader.
Reaves Earns All-Big 12 First Team Honors
The biggest individual recognition of Reaves’ college career arrived during his senior season.
The Big 12 named him to its 2020-21 All-Big 12 First Team.
At the time of the conference announcement, Reaves was averaging 17.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists. He ranked second in the Big 12 in scoring and third in assists. He also ranked first in the conference in free-throw percentage at 87.1%.
His conference statistics were even more impressive.
Reaves averaged 18.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists during Big 12 play.
Oklahoma noted that he became the only player in Big 12 history at that point to average at least 18.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists in conference play.
The award represented the culmination of his development from a relatively low-scoring freshman at Wichita State into a conference star at Oklahoma.
How Many Years Did Austin Reaves Play College Basketball?
Reaves spent four seasons in college basketball programs, although he played in only three seasons because he redshirted after transferring.
His college path was:
- Two seasons at Wichita State
- One redshirt season at Oklahoma
- Two playing seasons at Oklahoma
That means he played four college seasons across five academic years.
The transfer significantly changed his trajectory.
At Wichita State, he developed his perimeter shooting and earned a larger role as a sophomore. At Oklahoma, he expanded his offensive responsibilities and eventually became the team’s leading scorer and primary playmaker.
Austin Reaves College Statistics
Reaves’ college statistics show his progression particularly well.
At Wichita State, he played 66 career games and averaged 6.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists. He made 82 three-pointers during his two seasons with the Shockers.
His Oklahoma numbers were considerably stronger.
During the 2019-20 season, he averaged 14.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists.
In 2020-21, those numbers rose to 18.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists.
The progression can be seen clearly:
| School | Playing seasons | Scoring progression |
|---|---|---|
| Wichita State | 2016-17 | 4.1 PPG |
| Wichita State | 2017-18 | 8.1 PPG |
| Oklahoma | 2019-20 | 14.7 PPG |
| Oklahoma | 2020-21 | 18.3 PPG |
His statistics rose each season he played.
That steady improvement became one of the defining characteristics of his college career.
Did Austin Reaves Graduate From College?
Reaves completed his college basketball career at Oklahoma following the 2020-21 season.
His final college season ended with Oklahoma reaching the NCAA Tournament. Reaves scored 23 points against Missouri in the first round and 27 points against Gonzaga in the second round.
After his Oklahoma career ended, Reaves entered the 2021 NBA Draft.
He went undrafted but later joined the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers’ official player profile identifies him as having spent two years at Wichita State and two years at Oklahoma before signing with Los Angeles as an undrafted free agent.
His college experience therefore became the bridge between an overlooked recruiting path and an NBA career.
Why Austin Reaves’ College Career Matters
The most important part of Reaves’ college story is his development.
He did not arrive at Oklahoma as an established star. His first two seasons at Wichita State produced modest scoring numbers, although his shooting ability was already evident.
The transfer changed his responsibilities.
At Oklahoma, Reaves became a more complete offensive player. He handled the ball more, attacked the basket, created shots and became a stronger playmaker.
His redshirt year also gave him time to strengthen his body and refine his skills without the pressure of game preparation.
By his senior season, he had become an All-Big 12 First Team player.
That progression helped position him for the next stage of his career. The Lakers eventually signed him after the 2021 NBA Draft, and he went on to become an established NBA player.
As of the latest 2026 update, Reaves remains with the Lakers after agreeing to a new four-year contract. That current status makes his college development particularly relevant when looking back at how his professional career began.
Austin Reaves College: The Bottom Line
Austin Reaves’ college career took him from Wichita State to Oklahoma, with each stop playing a different role in his development.
Wichita State helped establish his reputation as a skilled shooter. Oklahoma gave him the opportunity to become a primary scorer and playmaker.
His final college season produced 18.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, along with All-Big 12 First Team recognition. His 41-point performance against TCU and several major senior-season games became highlights of his Oklahoma career.
Most importantly, his college career demonstrated how much his game could develop with increased responsibility.
From averaging 4.1 points as a Wichita State freshman to becoming an 18.3-point scorer and First Team All-Big 12 selection at Oklahoma, Reaves built his professional future through steady improvement rather than immediate national stardom.
His journey from Wichita State to Oklahoma remains one of the clearest chapters in the development of the Lakers guard, and fans can share their favorite Austin Reaves college moment in the comments.