Lakers' Austin Reaves distancing himself from 'AR-15,' 'Hillbilly Kobe' nicknames

It was learned earlier this week that Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson was ditching his "AR-15" nickname, which was a combination of his initials and jersey number but is also a type of semi-automatic rifle linked with multiple public mass shootings. 

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves, who is coming off his rookie NBA season, is following in Richardson's footsteps. 

Per Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Reaves explained that he hopes to distance himself from the "AR-15" and "Hillbilly Kobe" nicknames that he previously picked up sooner rather than later. 

"I don't condone any gun violence that happens around our country," Reaves remarked. "But you can't really control what [nickname] people give you. I mean, I didn't come out and say my name was that. There's been others, like the 'Hillbilly Kobe,' that probably aren't the best thing in the situation that's going on, with Kobe's passing."

Reaves also offered praise for the University of Florida signal-caller who said in a statement that "it is important to me that my name and brand are no longer associated with the assault rifle that has been used in mass shootings, which I do not condone in any way or form." 

"I'm happy for him. I want him to use his voice," Reaves added about Richardson. "Everybody should be able to speak freely on what they believe. I feel like more people need to take stands like this and say what they're really feeling because that's how you get things brought up. That's how you pose questions to raise eyebrows and look into things. So, I'm happy for him and wish him nothing but the best."

Reaves, 24, hopes Lakers fans will help him select a new moniker at some point down the road.