Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia won everyone’s hearts after delivering 21 spectacular points against the Memphis Grizzlies. But he received actual attention after walking into his postgame press conference Friday night, dressed in unusual purple and gold.
The Pasadena native dropped the third-highest score in the Lakers’ 128-121 win after LeBron James and Luka Dončić. Then he chose to rock his postgame attendance with special team gear, which was absolutely opposite of current trend.
Jake LaRavia Proves His Lakers Loyalty Runs Way Deeper Than You Think
Reporter Arash Markazi noticed the difference right away in LaRavia’s appearance in the media availability after the Lakers’ close victory.
He tweeted, “I’ve been covering the Lakers for 25 years and you rarely see players wearing Lakers gear postgame. They’re usually showing off the latest fashion trends but Jake LaRavia, who grew up a Lakers fan, was rocking a Lakers jacket so I asked him what it means to him to be a Laker.”
LaRavia’s reply was absolutely overwhelming. He said, “It means something to wear Lakers across your chest. I grew up a fan. My dad grew up a fan. We understand the impact that comes with playing for this team – the impact it has on fans who show up, support us, and cheer for us every game. I wear the Lakers with pride across my chest every night.”
His family moved from Pasadena to Indianapolis when he was five years old. But his loyalty to the team and the team’s former legend never went away; rather, it got even bigger, being a Laker now.
I’ve been covering the Lakers for 25 years and you rarely see players wearing Lakers gear postgame. They’re usually showing off the latest fashion trends but Jake LaRavia, who grew up a Lakers fan, was rocking a Lakers jacket so I asked him what it means to him to be a Laker. pic.twitter.com/vEVbRfN0do
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) January 3, 2026
For the unversed, this Friday was his best game as a Laker. With Rui Hachimura out, JJ Redick moved him into the starting lineup, and he made the most of his 37 minutes on the floor.
LeBron James praised LaRavia postgame, saying, “Obviously it started with Jake. He was locked in from the beginning. He and Marcus [Smart] on both ends, taking the challenge of guarding Ja [Morant]. Rebounding, sharing the ball, scoring the ball, too.”
Head coach JJ Redick also credited LaRavia’s energy, stating, “I think he’s made a really concerted effort of late with what we call effort offense – cutting, crashing, running. Beneficiary of that tonight. He hit a big three in the fourth. Smart hit one. Vando hit one. So getting those guys to make shots when there are two on the ball is huge for us.”
The Jeff Hamilton jacket meant something. Hamilton designed the classic NBA jackets of the ’80s and ’90s that became tied to championship history. So LaRavia wearing one after the game felt like a nod to the Lakers’ legacy.
