UCLA Coach Mick Cronin Reveals Friendship with Lakers Star Austin Reaves

UCLA men's basketball coach Mick Cronin has developed a notable friendship with Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves, sharing a passion for golf.

Cronin recounted how he assisted Reaves, a relatively new arrival to Los Angeles, in navigating the city's notoriously difficult public golf course access. "Anybody who plays golf in LA knows you can’t get on public courses, you can’t get the tee time," Cronin said Thursday at Big Ten media days. "The robots take them all. The governor’s even involved in stopping them."

To circumvent these challenges, Cronin introduced Reaves to a friend who provided access to Riviera Country Club. "Next thing you know," Cronin added, "they’re best friends."

Cronin, who golfs primarily during the summer months, joins Reaves for games whenever his schedule permits. Reaves, who recently signed a four-year, $184.7 million contract extension with the Lakers, has apparently translated his athletic talent to the golf course. Cronin offered a strong endorsement of Reaves's golfing ability, stating, "If anybody in the NBA is better than him or as good as him, it would be Steph [Curry] and Steph only – he’s that good."

Despite Reaves's considerable success and earnings, Cronin humorously noted his golfing buddy's frugal habits. "My golfing buddy don’t pass it a lot," Cronin quipped, referring to Reaves's on-court play. "So he shoots it a lot." He also mentioned that Reaves had been using a friend's car for a year before recently purchasing his own, suggesting Reaves could offer financial advice to his teammates.