While following in his sister’s footsteps, Julian “Juju” Reese is making a name for himself in a way that’s all his own. While Angel Reese is currently living it up during her off-season, meeting her favorite stars, Juju is holding down the court for the Maryland Terrapins. And head coach Kevin Willard, applauding his efforts in a big way, says it all.

Juju’s on-court adjustments, especially on defense, have been a huge factor for Maryland. “I give Juju a lot of credit because I’ve had to move him and change our pick-and-roll coverage,” he said. “Juju’s adjusted really well. It’s a lot different.”

Coach Willard mentioned that they weren’t switching as much as they had in the past two years and that Juju had been working well with Derrick in adapting to these changes. “For Juju, it’s a huge adjustment because I’ve totally changed our pick and roll package, our defensive package,” he shared. 

We can’t argue that, as a senior, he has been an asset. In Maryland’s big 83-59 win over Ohio State, he contributed 10 points and 7 rebounds and was a reliable defender throughout the game. So far in the season, he has consistently put up double-digit points and rebounds in most of his games as he adjusts to a new position, revealed the HC in the post-game press conference. Meanwhile, his sister, Angel, is out there winning major accolades of her own.

She had quite the day at the 2024 Footwear News Achievement Awards, also known as the “Shoe Oscars.” The WNBA star took home the Style Influencer of the Year award. But that wasn’t the highlight. The 22-year-old forward also met one of her idols, Rihanna.

She went full fangirl, confessing her love to her and telling her, “I want to work with you one day,” to which Rihanna replied, “Let’s do it. I’m always ready.” But amidst all that glimmer shimmer, she is never far from her star baller brother’s achievements and is seen supporting him. 

Angel Reese: Juju’s biggest cheerleader

Family ties, be it in any field, are a huge motivator, and for Julian Reese, his sister’s success in the WNBA is something that pushes him every day. Angel Reese has made quite a name for herself, breaking records and leading the WNBA in double-doubles. 

When the 6-9 forward had a massive game against Florida A&M on November 12, scoring 21 points and grabbing 9 rebounds, leading his team to an 84-53 victory, the Chi-Town Barbie was right there, offering her support. She took to Instagram to cheer him on. She reposted his post-game interview with a simple but powerful message, “Consistency is key.”

Her message was clear, telling everyone that her brother’s consistency has paid off. Since that game, Juju has continued to put up strong numbers, all while making a big sacrifice and adjusting to a new position. As for the future? Well, with a consistent performance like that and the guidance and support of his superstar sister, he is on track to make a huge splash in the pros, just like Angel.