An undrafted rookie who scrapped his way onto the Lakers played the hero with a huge game-winning 3

• Austin Reaves hit the game-winning 3-pointer for the Lakers in overtime.
• Reaves is an undrafted rookie who fought his way onto the Lakers roster.

Austin Reaves continues to earn his place and trust with the Los Angeles Lakers.

On Thursday, the 23-year-old Reaves, an undrafted rookie out of Oklahoma and Wichita State, hit the game-winning three-pointer with 0.9 seconds left to help the Lakers beat the Dallas Mavericks in overtime.

It says something that on a star-studded roster featuring LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook, plus four other former All-Stars, that Reaves was trusted to be on the floor in such a tight situation.

Reaves drifted over from the corner on Westbrook's drive, received the kick-out pass, and drained the shot with confidence (while also possibly getting fouled).

Reaves' rise from borderline prospect to rotation player for the NBA's highest-profile team has been remarkable

According to The Ringer's Mirin Fader, Reaves came from a small town in Arkansas and was only lightly recruited in high school.

After two years at Wichita State, then Oklahoma, Reaves had a chance to be drafted to the Detroit Pistons in the second round this past summer. However, Reaves' representation told the Pistons not to draft him unless they could guarantee his contract.

Ultimately, Reaves went undrafted but signed a two-way deal with the Lakers, one of the 17 teams he had worked out for before the draft.

After an impressive training camp with teammates raving about his competitiveness, Reaves signed a two-year guaranteed contract with the Lakers worth $2.5 million.

"He's a nasty competitor," Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy told Mirin. He added: "I just love his fearlessness."

Lakers guard Rajon Rondo, who has become something of a mentor to Reaves, according to Firin, said that Reaves has a "blue-collar mindset" and has earned his place on the team.

The Lakers are better when Reaves is on the court

According to Mirin, Reaves has not backed down from anyone, even exchanging trash-talk with James during practice.

Reaves' per-game stats don't necessarily stand out — 5 points, 2 rebounds per game — but he's a capable shooter and a heady playmaker and defender, and those qualities are essential on a team of stars who need the ball. With Reaves on the court, the Lakers are outscoring opponents by nearly 10 points per 100 possessions, the best mark of any regular rotation member.

After his game-winner, Reaves took a moment to reflect on his progress.

"I mean, it's basically been the story of my life," Reaves said via ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "I've always been underrated. Didn't go to a big high school, so didn't get recruited much, but at the end of the day, you got to produce on the basketball court and for me to hit that shot, for my teammates to have the trust in me to take that shot is very, very special."