Manila Crowd Chants ‘Taylor Swift’ at Lakers Player Austin Reaves Amid Dating Rumors

Crowds at a Manila sneaker expo on August 27 chanted Taylor Swift’s name at NBA player Austin Reaves, who reportedly faced questions about his relationship status amid rumors linking him to the singer.

According to Sports Illustrated, the basketball star was asked if he was single, to which he responded “no.”

Video recorded by @naaaaaaah69 shows the crowd screaming “ohhh” in response to the question, followed by a repeated chant of Taylor Swift’s name directed at Reaves, who is seen onstage, smiling and scratching his head.

The footage also shows Reaves responding to an inaudible audience question. He replies, “Like I’ve said many times, I want to be a Laker for life.” The crowd cheers in response.

Reaves appeared at the 2023 Manila Sneaker Expo in the Philippines to promote his new signature sneakers, a collaboration with Chinese sportswear brand Rigorer, as reported by Sports Illustrated.

Although Reaves claimed in late July that he had never met Swift and was not part of the same celebrity circle, the crowd’s excitement remained unwavering. Credit: @naaaaaaah69 via Storyful

Video transcript

[CHEERING]

- Taylor Swift. Taylor Swift. Taylor Swift. Taylor Swift.

- Sir, I have a question. Sir, I have a question.

- [INAUDIBLE]

AUSTIN REAVES: Question.

- I'm a huge Lakers fan.

AUSTIN REAVES: Good question. You know, like I said many a times, I want to be a Laker for life. You know, I really--

[CHEERING]

- Taylor Swift. Taylor Swift. Taylor Swift. Taylor Swift.

- Sir, I have a question. Sir, I have a question.

- [INAUDIBLE]

AUSTIN REAVES: Question.

- I'm a huge Lakers fan.

AUSTIN REAVES: Good question. You know, like I said many a times, I want to be a Laker for life. You know, I really--

[CHEERING]

- Taylor Swift. Taylor Swift. Taylor Swift. Taylor Swift.

- Sir, I have a question. Sir, I have a question.

- [INAUDIBLE]

AUSTIN REAVES: Question.

- I'm a huge Lakers fan.

AUSTIN REAVES: Good question. You know, like I said many a times, I want to be a Laker for life. You know, I really--

[CHEERING]