When your sister dominates the paint, the spotlight, and the sneaker game—expectations aren’t optional. And why not? Everybody knows Angel Reese. The WNBA rebounding machine, who is set to have her signature sneaker from Reebok next year, is quickly becoming one of the most popular players in the league. So, when her brother put on a dominant show recently, she did not merely resort to praising him. She made sure he knew that from here, the bar is only rising.

This spring, Maryland senior Julian “Juju” Reese was a force to be reckoned with. So, his impressive display in his senior year earned him an invitation to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (PIT) in April 2025, a ticket to the big league that comes in the form of a golden envelope, promising to boost one’s draft stock.

Every year since 1953, 64 seniors have been invited to battle it out in front of scouts from every NBA team. Hence, the tournament has become a stage where hidden gems shine and long shots become headlines. Last year, Maryland sent Jahmir Young and Donta Scott. Jahmir balled out, turned heads, and landed a spot with the Chicago Bulls. This year, it’s Juju’s turn—and boy, is he delivering.

Reese, the former Maryland big man, has been one of the standout performers through the first two games of the PIT. He’s averaging 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds while shooting a scorching 9-for-10 from the free-throw line. He might not be lighting up the mock drafts just yet, but Juju’s out here writing his own, like always! Whether he slips into the second round or follows Jahmir’s path as a hot-ticket undrafted free agent, one thing’s for sure: he’s making NBA teams take notice.

So, how could Reese not praise his brother, who, just like her, is not asking for a seat at the table? He is bringing his own chair, he is ready to eat, and by now, we know how sturdy those chairs are from the Reese household. After all, as Angel once said, “Family business! We get it from our momma!” And you know what, she doesn’t need hefty words to convey her message to her brother. It’s the same Juju, and it’s the same Angel. The siblings who once got their basketball court in front of the house taken down because they were just that competitive. What more, then, could the big sister have needed than a simple emoji?

While Juju’s NBA future still hangs in uncertainty, he has been living up to the family name, giving his fans hope to be positive. Juju powered through this season, averaging 13.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. He was the heartbeat of the Terrapins’ run, which ended in the Sweet 16 at the hands of the ultimate champs, Florida. But for Juju, making noise with a deep run just wasn’t enough. He wanted to back his story with something historical. And just like a true Reese, he became only the second player in Maryland history with over 1,000 career points and 1,000 rebounds, joining the great Len Elmore. Of course, big sis Angel was right there, cheering him on from afar. “Sweet 16. Let’s Dance! GO TERPS!” she posted on X.

So while the three-time All-Big Ten honorable mention continues to create a place for himself in the basketball world, mock drafts continue to be against his favor. But with performances in the PIT drawing scouts, Reese’s stock might successfully begin its ascent.

Julian “Juju” Reese’s draft potential

After completing his senior season, Julian is now waiting to see whether his name will be called in the NBA draft in late June. While ESPN’s rankings of the top-100 draft prospects don’t have him in the mix, he is a good prospect through and through. And even if his name is not called, that is no longer a problem in the modern-day NBA, with players having opportunities such as the PIT and Summer League. If they shine enough in these places, they stand a chance to get themselves on a G-League squad or battle for a 10-day contract.

Julian’s 6-foot-9 size, solid rebounding, and defensive potential make him an intriguing player for NBA teams looking for frontcourt depth. “Julian Reese is officially my best big man here,” Cyro Asseo of HoopsHype posted on X. “Sets good screens, rim runs well, and projects as a decent shot blocker. He might be the best big man here.” Reese’s ability to improve and develop has also been evident in his college career as he drastically improved his free-throw shooting, going from a 53% free-throw shooter in his sophomore year to 74% in his senior year.

Where Reese really shines is on the defensive side of the ball. He’s a smart and switchable defender who makes great effort in serving as the anchor. He doesn’t shy away from doing the dirty work either, relentlessly attacking the glass with the same tenacity as his sister. His high-motor style made him one of the Big Ten’s top rebounders. And he never stops himself from going to the line with just 22.4 seconds to play.

Despite all the upsides, Juju’s primary limitation for the modern NBA is his lack of an outside shot. He attempted only one three-pointer in the past three seasons, which can be a cause of concern for NBA scouts, with the league seeking bigs who can shoot 3s and stretch the floor. His offensive game is largely based around the interior, and questions remain about whether he can consistently create offense at the NBA level. But one thing to note here is that his profile has been compared to the likes of Taj Gibson, Clint Capela, and Jarrett Allen. And they all survived in the NBA. So should Reese, especially considering what a coachable player he is.