Despite having just three years’ worth of professional basketball experience to his name, Lakers shooting guard Austin Reaves has become a household name amongst NBA fans. His high basketball IQ, combined with his work ethic and his ability to help LeBron James put up a dominating offensive effort during crucial games, has made him one of the rising stars of the modern NBA and a favorite amongst Lakers fans.

Reaves’ sudden popularity caused NBA fans to know more about the life of the player when he is not busy shooting through hoops or making the crowd go crazy at the Crypto.com Arena. Thanks to social media, they were able to find out that the player found a support system outside the court in his girlfriend, Jenna Barber. So, let’s find out who the lucky lady is.

Who is Austin Reaves’ girlfriend?

Austin Reaves’ girlfriend is Jenna Barber, a 23-year-old college graduate from Arkansas. Born in her hometown of Newark, she and Austin have been in a relationship for over 10 years. According to People, she’s a 2020 magna cum laude from the University of Arkansas Community College with an associate’s degree in science. As of 2023, Barber was pursuing further education at the Logan College of Chiropractic, Missouri.

Jenna Barber’s personal life

Jenna was born on December 20, 2000, to Brian and Sandra Barber in Arkansas. She has a twin sister, Jordan Barber Wheeler, who studied communication sciences at Arkansas State University. She lives with her husband, Keaton Wheeler. Jenna also has a younger sister, Jaden Barber.

Jenna actively enjoys spending more and more time outdoors. She likes to share pictures of herself on her social media account, wherein we can see her hiking, riding bicycles, and horse riding. She has also shared many of her pictures from various Lakers’ games she’s attended in the past.

Interestingly, she was also a part of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority at the University of Arkansas.

What does she do?

Jenna worked at a pharmacy in her hometown as per her Facebook profile. This was before she attended the University of Arkansas. In 2020, she most probably left that job, since she posted her last working day on social media at the time. Considering she is enrolled at a chiropractic school, it is likely she is pursuing a career in medicine or a related field.

When did Austin Reaves meet Jenna Barber?

Despite still being in their early 20s, both Austin Reaves and Jenna Barber had quite an early start to their relationship. The couple met almost a decade ago when both of them attended Cedar Ridge High School in Newark. Reaves’ time at the high school not only marked the beginning of his relationship with Barber but also the beginning of his basketball aspirations. Even though the couple had to endure a long-distance relationship after Reaves went to Wichita State and then the University of Oklahoma, they continue to still be together.

Are Austin Reaves and Jenna Barber engaged or married?

Neither. Even though they have been dating for a decade, they are still not married or engaged. They also do not have any children. Both of them are still in their early-mid twenties and are in the middle of establishing a superior name for themselves in their careers. Of course, when they figure out when they want to say “I do”, it will be a massive moment for everyone around the world.

Both of them love each other and are a constant pillar of support for each other. In the three years that Reaves has been pursuing professional basketball, his girlfriend has been a constant source of support. When the Los Angeles Lakers took a 3-1 lead against the Warriors during the 2023 playoffs, Jenna Barber took to her official Facebook account to celebrate the news by writing “3-1 baby!!!! such a fun chapter in life”. As mentioned above, the then 22-year-old was even present to cheer on her boyfriend alongside Reaves mother.

A few months after the tournament, Reaves was selected to represent the US during the 2023 FIBA World Cup. With Barber accompanying the player during his travels, the couple was seen taking some time out of their busy schedule to explore the places that the host countries of Abu Dhabi, Spain, etc. had to offer for them. Lakers fans managed to travel alongside the couple thanks to Barber’s social media updates.

While Reaves himself is a private individual, we get glimpses of their relationship through Jenna’s social media. Yet, both only allow limited information about themselves to be known to the public.

The couple seems to be going strong and shows no indication of parting ways anytime soon.