The Los Angeles Lakers have officially added Julian Reese, younger brother of WNBA superstar Angel Reese, to their 2025 NBA Summer League roster. This moment marks a new and thrilling chapter in the Reese family’s basketball story—one defined by talent, perseverance, and a shared dream of success at the highest levels of the sport.
For Angel Reese, the Chicago Sky powerhouse and one of the WNBA’s brightest young stars, this is deeply personal. Reese has earned acclaim for her rebounding dominance, contributions to LSU’s national championship run, and her commanding presence in the professional ranks. Now, while she dazzles the WNBA, her younger brother Julian is chasing his own path in the NBA—carrying both aspiration and legacy into every Summer League minute.
Julian Reese’s journey has been defined by resilience and determination. A standout at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, he honed his craft before committing to Maryland, where he delivered a consistently outstanding collegiate career.:
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Played 134 games with 102 starts.
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Averaged 11.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.
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Finished with 1,488 points and 1,015 rebounds—becoming just the second Terp in school history to hit both milestones en.wikipedia.org+13si.com+13theplayoffs.news+13talksport.comen.wikipedia.org+1en.wikipedia.org+1as.com+2theplayoffs.news+2talksport.com+2.
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Notched 37 career double-doubles, ranking fifth in Maryland history, and shot 55.7% from the field cbssports.com+2si.com+2talksport.com+2.
In his senior season, Reese elevated his production, averaging 13.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while earning All-Big Ten Honorable Mentions across multiple years as.com+6si.com+6bleacherreport.com+6. He also proved his mettle at the prestigious Portsmouth Invitational, where scouts saw him average 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds—solidifying his potential as a pro cbssports.com+2bleacherreport.com+2reddit.com+2.
Yet, despite his college achievements, Reese went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft—a tough pill for any aspiring pro. But his story didn’t end there. This Friday, he signed with the Lakers as an undrafted free agent for the NBA Summer League facebook.com+7talksport.com+7theplayoffs.news+7.
Maryland officially congratulated him via social media, confirming the signing though the Lakers have yet to issue a formal announcement theplayoffs.news+1as.com+1.
A Special Family Tie
The Reese siblings share more than just a last name—they share a fierce competitiveness fostered during countless backyard one-on-ones. Angel, born in 2002, and Julian, born June 30, 2003, raised each other on the court, sparking an unbreakable bond and mutual growth as.com+13en.wikipedia.org+13youtube.com+13.
Angel wasted no time showing her pride. On social media, she boldly shared, “OPPORTUNITY. COME ON JU.”—her four-word rally cry resounding with love, encouragement, and challenge timesofindia.indiatimes.com+3si.com+3cbssports.com+3. Another post spotlighted her unwavering mindset: “proud is an understatement. TIME TO WORK” talksport.com.
Beyond Instagram captions, her competitive spirit speaks volumes. With an NCAA Championship, multiple All-American distinctions, and WNBA stardom already under her belt, Angel knows firsthand the grind and relentless work ethic required in pro basketball en.wikipedia.org.
Summer League Opportunity
The NBA Summer League is both a showroom and a proving ground. Running this July, the Lakers’ Summer League lineup features rookies like Bronny James and Dalton Knecht, with a July 10 opener against Dallas—whose roster includes top pick Cooper Flagg si.com+2theplayoffs.news+2basketnews.com+2.
For Reese, these games aren’t just exhibition—they’re auditions. At 6-foot-9 and 252 pounds, he brings size and athleticism the Lakers covet, especially in a revamped roster seeking depth in the frontcourt. Though he lacks a three-point shot (one of the notable critiques of his game) , his interior toughness, rebounding, and shot-blocking are his strengths as.com+15reddit.com+15cbssports.com+15.
His performance at the Portsmouth Invitational and consistency at Maryland have set a foundation. Now, it’s about showing he belongs: competing in pick-and-rolls, defending, rolling hard to the rim, and proving he can impact winning, even without deep-range touch.
If he proves himself, a full roster slot or a two-way deal with the Lakers (or elsewhere) could follow—much like other undrafted gems who rose through Summer League ranks talksport.com+4reddit.com+4si.com+4basketnews.com. As one Reddit fan pointed out, Summer League is precisely this—a stepping-stone:
“What do you think a Summer League invite is for? … It’s try-out for all teams… He’s one of the most effective defensive bigs in college… As a G League scrappy big he’ll be fine.” reddit.com
Lakers’ Perspective and Fit
The Lakers are in a rebuilding-offseason mode post-2025 NBA Draft, where they picked Arkansas forward Adou Thiero late in the second round reddit.com+2cbssports.com+2as.com+2. The team is seeking affordable frontcourt options who can defend the paint, set screens, and rebound. While Reese doesn’t seem destined to start alongside LeBron or Luka, his skill set aligns with their small-ball lineup needs.
He enters a training camp environment with high-level coaching and mentorship—from veterans like LeBron to fellow young players navigating their pro beginnings.
Family Legacy & Broader Impact
If Reese earns a roster spot, he and Angel would join a rare lineage of sibling tandems spanning the NBA and WNBA—drawing parallels to pairs like Candace and Anthony Parker or Mark and Elizabeth Williams talksport.com+1reddit.com+1. Their cousin Jordan Hawkins also plays in the NBA, currently with the Pelicans talksport.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1.
These familial links highlight sport’s power to bind and inspire. Across women’s and men’s basketball, the Reese name is becoming synonymous with work ethic, competitiveness, and big-game heart.
The Road Ahead
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Summer League Showcases: From July 10 onward, each minute on the Lakers roster counts. Coaches, scouts, and media will scrutinize every post-up, defensive rotation, rebound, and screen set.
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Preseason & Camp Invite: A solid Summer League showing might turn into a training-camp invite or at least a G League affiliate position.
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Making the Leap: The ultimate objective—an NBA roster spot. Playing for “the purple and gold” would be monumental; wherever he lands, it’s a validation of his journey.
It’s also a personal milestone for Angel, who laid the groundwork in their Maryland driveway and now watches her brother step onto that same hardwood—all in pursuit of excellence.
At its heart, this story is one of potential anchored in hard-earned achievements. Julian Reese is poised at the crossroads where dreams meet opportunity—standing on the edge of NBA reality. He has the college accolades, the physical tools, the family support, and the drive. Now it’s about performance.
If this Summer League marks the beginning of an NBA tenure—or a stepping stone into pro basketball—Julian may soon follow Angel not only in fame but in making his own mark on the world’s biggest stage.
Here’s to the Reese legacy: may this Summer League be the first of many shared victories—on and off the court.
