The Los Angeles Lakers already have one undrafted prospect who has become a fan favorite.<\/p>\n
In fact, Wichita State and Oklahoma product Austin Reaves<\/a> is one of the most popular players in the entire league. His salt of the earth personality is only overshadowed by his upside, as he\u2019s a skilled shot-creator, shot-maker, and playmaker at 6-foot-5. Though the 26-year-old isn\u2019t an elite athlete by NBA standards, he uses his brain and heart to make winning plays<\/a>.<\/p>\n If there\u2019s any player who might follow Reaves\u2019s path, it\u2019s Atlanta native Quincy Olivari<\/a>.<\/p>\n Olivari wasn\u2019t among the 58 players selected in the 2024 NBA Draft, but agreed to play for the Lakers shortly after it was over. A super senior who spent four seasons at Rice before transferring to Xavier, he was a respectable scorer in college. In his final two seasons, he averaged 18.9 points per game on 38.7 percent shooting from three. As a sophomore in 2020-21, he averaged 16.3 points per game while shooting a then 40.9 percent from deep.<\/p>\n All of that is to say, Olivari has been on the map for a while. Playing in Conference USA, where he was a two-time all-conference selection, doesn\u2019t come with much prestige but he was a known commodity. Leading the Big East in total points, as he did in 2023-24, didn\u2019t lead to much hype. However, and it\u2019s the case now more than ever, the finest players usually get recognized no matter where they play.<\/p>\n Such is the case for Olivari, who has earned respect from Lakers teammates like Max Christie<\/a>.<\/p>\n Max Christie says Quincy Olivari, the Lakers\u2019 Exhibit 10 signee who sparked a 4th Q comeback in MIL to get LAL its first preseason win, has \u201cearned his respect\u201d from his teammates as a legitimate NBA player by how he\u2019s approached camp every day pic.twitter.com\/HTCVYTM0QO<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 12, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nLakers\u2019 Quincy Olivari Earning Respect As Legitimate NBA Player<\/h2>\n
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