Brother of Angel Reese Offers Lifeline Following NBA Draft Snub Amid Chicago Fans' Controversy with WNBA Officials
In the realm of basketball, the limelight isn't just for the big leagues anymore. Angel Reese, a WNBA standout, has managed to make her mark, and now her brother Julian is gunning for glory too.
Angel, a Maryland and LSU powerhouse, sure didn't wait long to join the WNBA ranks. With her National Championship win in 2023 against none other than Caitlin Clark, she was seamlessly drafted by the Chicago Sky with the seventh overall pick. As for All-Star status and league-leading rebound averages, well, that's just par for the course for this power forward.
But Julian's road wasn't as smooth. After a stellar college career at Maryland, averaging 11.1 points and 7.6 rebounds, he found himself undrafted following the 2024 NBA Draft. But fear not, this former Terrapins star proved resilience isn't just for rookie seasons. He quickly secured an undrafted free agent (UDFA) deal with none other than the renowned Los Angeles Lakers, a 17-time NBA champion club.
The brotherly support didn't stop there – Angel couldn't help but shout her brother's success on her Instagram story, simply saying, "OPPORTUNITY. COME ONNNN...proud is an understatement. TIME TO WORK."
Now, Julian will benefit from learning under one of the greats, LeBron James, and will train alongside other budding stars like Luka Doncic and Bronny James, LeBron's son, the 55th overall pick in the 2024 Draft.
If Julian manages to secure an NBA roster spot by the 2025-26 season, he and Angel will join an esteemed group of brother-sister duos who have made it to the NBA and WNBA, such as Candace and Anthony Parker, TJ and Megan McConnell, and Mark and Elizabeth Williams, Angel's Sky teammate. The family legacy continues with their cousin, Jordan Hawkins, already a member of the New Orleans Pelicans.
As for Angel, she's in the thick of her second season in the WNBA. Despite struggling to secure wins so far this season, she's been on the receiving end of critics due to her rebounding statistics. In an effort to silence the online trolls, she's even gone as far as filing a trademark for the term 'mebounds'.
Despite criticism, she continues to make history. In a recent game, she became the first player in WNBA history to record 35 points, 35 rebounds, and 8 assists in her last two outings. Her exceptional play strengthens her bid for another All-Star appearance, but not without controversy – many fans called out the referees for their handling of physical play directed at Reese.
Up next for Angel and the Chicago Sky is a rematch with Kelsey Plum and the Los Angeles Sparks, in a bid to settle the scores from their earlier matches. Will this be the pivotal game that propels Angel to her second consecutive All-Star appearance or will the rivalry between these stars continue to heat up? Only time will tell.
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References:1. https://www.sportskeeda.com/wnba/news-angel-reese-julian-reese-wnba-nba-riz-reese-nba-ugc-angels-brother-julian-to-join-chicago-sky-wnba-nba-career-wnba-brother-sister-duo-wnba-chicago-sky-wnba-nba-yskr2. https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/35077444/julian-reese-mandatory-fire-follows-following-before-lakers-signing3. https://www.si.com/nba/lakers/ch铂gagobballey-wnba-all-star-angel-reese-brother-julian-wants-join-lakers-nba-2025-undrafted4. https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2021/10/5/22727962/maryland-basketball-julian-reese-6-9-forward-transfers-louisiana-state
- Julian Reese's journey in the NBA world mirrors MMA and football, as he was undrafted following the 2024 NBA Draft, but managed to secure an undrafted free agent (UDFA) deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, despite being a former Maryland standout.
- In the realm of sports, the Reese siblings, Angel in the WNBA and Julian in the NBA, aim to join the esteemed group of brother-sister duos who have made it to the NBA and WNBA, such as the Parker, McConnell, and Williams duos.
- Angel Reese's performances in the WNBA have not only attracted critics but also admiration, as she became the first player in WNBA history to record 35 points, 35 rebounds, and 8 assists in her last two outings, strengthening her bid for another All-Star appearance.
