Julian “Juju” Reese, the youthful brother of WNBA star Angel Reese, is making his mark on the league early in his profession. The 22-year-old rising star accomplished his third recreation with the Washington Wizards on Thursday. Juju recorded probably the most rebounds for a rookie this season.
Recently, Juju Reese signed a two-way contract with the Washington Wizards
Juju signed with the Washington Wizards per week in the past. The information got here after he performed for 4 years on the University of Maryland, remained undrafted within the 2025 NBA draft in June, and joined the Raptors 905, the Toronto Raptors’ G League crew, in accordance with The Athletic.
On Monday, Juju made his NBA debut as a ahead/middle when the Wizards misplaced to Houston earlier than taking part in his second recreation towards Orlando on Tuesday. Thursday marked his third-ever recreation for the league.
Although the Wizards misplaced 122-112 to the Utah Jazz, Juju made fairly the impression. He scored 18 factors and made 20 rebounds in the course of the recreation. In doing so, he recorded probably the most rebounds in a single recreation by a rookie this season. The final participant to realize such a rating by a Wizards or Washington Bullets rookie was Tom Gugliotta again in 1993, in accordance with The Athletic.
“Just hustle, simply wanting it,” Juju mentioned about his outstanding efficiency. “I’m not likely the most important man on the market. I simply have coronary heart. … I used to be attempting to only grasp and do the issues I’m already good at.”
Juju additionally grew to become the primary Wizards participant to have 10 offensive and 10 defensive rebounds in a recreation since Antawn Jamison in 2010, in accordance with 247Sports. So far, he’s averaged 9.7 factors and 10.7 rebounds on 62.5 p.c taking pictures in half-hour per recreation.
The rookie can also be stepping in his sister Angel Juju’s footsteps. Last season, she was the youngest participant within the WNBA to attain at the very least 18 factors and acquire at the very least 10 rebounds in a recreation. Now, Juju is the youngest participant within the NBA to document the very same rating, in accordance with StatMuse.
Juju Reese has obtained reward from his friends
Juju mentioned he’s obtained too many textual content messages than he had time to learn via after the sport on Thursday night.
“If it’s 1,000 [messages], 500 are from Angel,” he mentioned.
His older sister was in attendance throughout his recreation towards Orlando on Tuesday. She’s taken to social media to focus on her brother’s achievement in becoming a member of the NBA.
“My baby brother,” Angel wrote on X when following the information that he signed with the Wizards. “Ugh I’m so pleased with you! Your journey has by no means been straightforward & you’ve at all times stayed the course! Let’s go Juju!”
She additionally celebrated his Thursday efficiency, writing “JUJU MF REESE” and “what an awesome evening” on X.
Wizards head coach Brian Keefe additionally praised Juju’s recreation on Thursday.
“He was like a one-man gang on the market rebounding,” he mentioned, in accordance with The Athletic. “He was terrific. Credit to him.”
“We can run our offense via him,” Keefe added, in accordance with Pro Football & Sports Network. “You can see his passing means. He’s match, he’s huge, he’s bodily, he’s an excellent rebounder.”
Juju additionally obtained form phrases from his teammate Trae Young, some extent guard for the Wizards.
“Being thrown into the hearth like he has [been] this final week, it’s been nice to see,” he mentioned, in accordance with The Athletic. “This being his third recreation and having this kind of evening, I do know he’s excited and he’s joyful. But his teammates are simply as excited and joyful for him as properly. Hopefully, he has extra of those nights sooner or later, for positive.”
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