Austin Reaves winning fans in the Philippines at FIBA World Cup in Manila

Overshadowed by LeBron James in Los Angeles, Austin Reaves is fast becoming the most popular player at the FIBA World Cup in Manila, Philippines.

Fans here adore his dramatic style of pushing the tempo and drawing fouls with fakes and contortions.

They also resonate with his “zero to hero” story.

Reaves, age 25, was undrafted after playing high school ball in Arkansas and college ball at Wichita State and Oklahoma. He now joins Ben Wallace and Brad Miller as the only undrafted players ever to play for Team USA.

Though he didn’t start, Reaves came off the bench to spark Team USA with 12 and 15 points in their first two opening round wins at the Mall of Asia Arena over New Zealand and Greece.

“Every kid wants to be at this stage. Everyday I wake up, I cherish those moments. I don’t want to take it for granted,” he told reporters in Manila. “I’m from a super small town, obviously not a lot of people expected me to be here representing our country. For them to accept me, the way they accept me, means a lot to me.”

“This guy kicked our butts in the playoffs just a few months ago,” said Team USA coach Steve Kerr, whose Golden State Warriors lost in the NBA playoffs to Reaves and the Lakers.

Reaves reportedly signed a shoe deal in March with Chinese sports apparel brand Rigorer, whose shoes he wore last season. Given his appeal with fans in Asia, he might see many more offers in the future.