WNBA star and Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese’s brother, Julian Reese, won’t have an easy path to the NBA after going undrafted in the second round of the 2025 NBA draft on Thursday.
Despite having a standout senior year at Maryland, the 6′10″ big man didn’t find suitors for his talent. This makes it that much more difficult for him to make it to the NBA. He will now have to rely on getting an invitation to the Summer League.
Reese will also be looking forward to a potential two-way contract with an NBA team to at least get an opportunity to get near the hardwood. If he gets one, he will have to shine in the G-League assignments, as the doors are now closing in on his NBA dream
His sister, Angel Reese, though, has remained supportive throughout his college basketball journey. Last season, following Maryland’s 87–71 loss to Florida in the NCAA Sweet 16, the WNBA star expressed just how proud she is of Julian. She wrote:
“Proud of you! So excited for your next journey.”
She attended the game wearing a custom tee reading “JuJu Sister” on the back alongside his No. 10 jersey.
Reese going undrafted was actually not surprising. Even the most optimistic mock drafts had him as a borderline second-round pick following his strong showing in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament.
With Maryland, Reese played four seasons and became one of the Terrapins’ top rebounders of all time. He was second in school history and fourth in the Big Ten in offensive rebounds. Last season, he averaged 13.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals per game. Meanwhile, in the Portsmouth Invitational, Reese nearly averaged a double‑double (13.3 points, 10.6 rebounds) while shooting 45% from the floor.
Angel Reese Reflects On Julian’s Role In Her Path to WNBA
View this post on Instagram
Angel Reese and her brother, Julian Reese, both attended the University of Maryland before the former transferred to Louisiana State University and subsequently won the national championship in 2023. Reese’s budding basketball rivalry with Julian helped her become competitive.
“Everything was always competitive with my younger brother,” Angel told What’s Up? in March 2022. “We had a basketball court in front of our house, and it was always very competitive and intense. We played all the time together. It helped shape me to who I am now.”
Moreover, during an interview with Sports Illustrated in March 2022, Angel revealed how she tries to inculcate in her NIL deals whenever they want a male partner.
“They’re like, ‘Do you know any players?’ And I’m like, ‘My brother?’ ” she said. “I try to include him in as many deals as I can because once I’m able to leave here [Maryland], hopefully we can sign with the same agency and do everything together, and my mom can just be right there, too. I think it’ll be easy for both of us.”
This just goes to show the loving bond between Angel and Julian.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball.
