Before Austin Reaves made a name for himself with the Los Angeles Lakers, he was just a high school kid in Arkansas, head over heels for Jenna Barber. Their journey started in high school, where they celebrated wins, traveled the world, and built many memories together.
But what’s Barber’s story outside the social media posts and sideline cheers?
Austin Reaves, Jenna Barber Love Story Began in 2014
Reaves, who plays shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, has been with Barber since their days at Cedar Ridge High School in Newark, Arkansas. They started dating in October 2014 and have kept their relationship strong ever since. At the time, Reaves was 16 and Barber was 14.
She was born in Newark, Arkansas, on Dec. 20, 2000. Her parents are Brian and Sandra Barber. She has a twin sister, Jordan Barber Wheeler, and a younger sister, Jaden Barber.
Barber earned her associate degree in science, magna cum laude, from the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville in 2020.
She went on to graduate from the University of Arkansas in December 2022. During college, she joined the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and often posted about her experiences and the people she met.
“The friendships college life gives you is indescribable. my heart is so happy,” Barber wrote in a Facebook post.
Barber is now attending Logan College of Chiropractic in Missouri to further her education in healthcare.
She also worked at Newark Pharmacy in Newark, Arkansas, from August 2019 to August 2020, where she got hands-on experience in the field. When she left, she shared a heartfelt message on Facebook: “I have the sweetest work family!! They make work life so fun and easygoing, and I can’t thank them enough for all their love and support. I will miss you all & see you soon!!!!”
Barber Shared Curated Moments With Austin on VSCO, Facebook
Barber is also a VSCO user and shares curated and edited photos, often featuring moments with Reaves. Her posts highlight their adventures, including travel and day-to-day life.
She posts about nature, Reaves’ highlights, and travel memories.
The couple posted photos from Hawaii, calling them “core memories from our trip to Hawaii.”
On Jan. 2, 2025, she shared another post on Facebook: “A very happy start to the new year” with Reaves and friends.
In January 2023, she posted, “some of my favorite things: lakers basketball, traveling, good company, & #15,” showing her support during the NBA season.
In August 2023, the couple took a long trip to Las Vegas, Spain and Abu Dhabi with Reaves’ mom, Nicole Wilkett.
She also joined Nicole at Lakers playoff games in May 2023 and celebrated the team’s wins.
After one of those wins, she posted photos from Crypto.com Arena, captioning them, “3-1 baby!!!! such a fun chapter in life.”
She’s also posted throwback highlights from Reaves’ best games: “Love me some Austin throwbacks 🥹🤩 some of the best mems, and still making more !!!!”
The couple also went to the U.S. Open together. Barber posted, “u can always catch us on a golf course,” along with a shot of Reaves golfing, writing, “always gotta find the golf courses.”
For Reaves’ birthday in May 2023, she shared a photo of them golfing and wrote, “happy birthday to my person!!! I hope your day was full of golf. I love you so much!”
One of Barber’s favorite things to do is spend time outdoors. She enjoys hiking, biking, horseback riding, and going to the beach.