Raising Fans’ Eyebrows With Sister Angel Reese’s Support, Does Julian Have NBA Potential?

Today, when you think of college basketball, Angel Reese is a name that’s likely to pop up in your mind. The 2022 NCAA season witnessed her securing the first NCAA Women’s College Basketball Championship title for the university. Even Shaquille O’Neal praised her contributions and called her the “greatest athlete” ever to emerge from LSU, regardless of gender.

Nevertheless, the Reese family boasts another basketball talent: Julian Reese. With unwavering support from his sister Angel, Julian is carving out his career in the world of hoops. This leads us to the pressing question: Does he have what it takes to make it to the NBA?

Who is Julian Reese?

Born on July 8, 2003, in Baltimore, Maryland, Julian Reese is the son of Angel Webb and Michael Reese, both of whom were former basketball stars with professional careers overseas.  Yet, Angel Webb didn’t impose expectations on her children, allowing them to pursue their own passions without the weight of her legacy. During an exclusive interview with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, Angel Reese revealed her mother’s supportive approach: “She let me do whatever. I ran track, I did volleyball, I did a little bit of swimming, gymnastics, and cheer. She never put it on me that I had to play basketball because she did, so she let me experience and do whatever I wanted to do.”  This led Angel Reese and her brother Julian to gravitate towards the world of basketball.

Growing up, Julian honed his skills on the hardwood alongside his sister Angel and cousin Jordan Hawkins, a standout player for UConn who played a pivotal role in leading the Huskies to the 2023 NCAA championship. Julian’s high school years were marked by his attendance at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. During his time at St. Frances Academy, he established himself as a four-year varsity player and a highly regarded four-star recruit. As a senior, he averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks per game.

When the time came to decide collegiate future, Julian received many enticing offers, including those from Georgetown, Virginia Tech, and other institutions. However, he chose to stay true to his roots and don the Maryland Terrapins jersey.

As a freshman at the University of Maryland, Julian Reese averaged 5.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 32 games,. Despite his sister Angel’s departure to LSU, Julian chose to stay in Maryland.

Read More: Who Will Angel Reese Play Against in NCAA’s First Game?

Julian Reese’s sophomore year saw his status rise to one of the most improved players in the Big Ten Conference. With 29 starts for the Maryland Terrapins, he averaged 11.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. With a remarkable 63% shooting accuracy from the field, he secured the second spot in the conference rankings. Julian also led the team with 42 blocks and added 27 steals.

Standing as his staunch supporter, Angel Reese is his best friend and role model. Reese the proud older sister, recently vouched for her brother by adding a post by Maryland’s basketball team to her story. She wrote, “Let’s go big baby.” 

Having taken a comprehensive look at his stats and records, does he have what it takes to be in the NBA?

Does Julian Reese have NBA potential?

Julian Reese, the 20-year-old standout hailing from Owings Mills is projected as a draft-eligible prospect for the 2025 NBA Draft. Blessed with impressive physical attributes, Julian stands tall at 6’9″ and weighs in at 230 pounds.

In terms of his strengths, Reese is noted for being an adequate low post scorer and excels in scoring on off-ball motion plays, demonstrating an ability to move without the ball effectively. He also brings adequate playmaking skills for a player of his size and possesses the ability to block shots and score in the low post.

However, Reese is not without areas for improvement. To maximize his NBA potential, he must work on his face-up game and extend his shooting range. Developing his playmaking skills further is another critical aspect to address. Additionally, his size, although notable, may still be considered a bit undersized for the traditional interior role in the NBA.

In the eyes of ‘NBA Scouting Live’, Julian Reese falls within a projected draft range of the second round to undrafted. Whether he can transition successfully to the NBA will be a question answered in the coming years as he continues his collegiate career and prepares for the 2025 NBA Draft.

Watch This Story: Angel Reese Flexes Her Mamba Mentality Applying Kobe Bryant’s ‘Stinging’ Words to NCAA Champion LSU Team

What are your thoughts on Julian Reese? Let us know in the comments below!