From Baltimore Courts to NBA Dreams: The Inspiring Journey of Angel Reese’s Brother Julian and Their Unbreakable Sibling Bond That Shaped Two Elite Athletes
Angel Reese and her younger brother Julian Reese have always shared one fundamental passion that has defined their lives since childhood – basketball – creating an unbreakable bond that has propelled both siblings from the challenging streets of Baltimore to the highest levels of professional sports, demonstrating that family support and competitive drive can overcome any obstacle.
Born on June 30, 2003, just over a year after his famous sister Angel, Julian Reese grew up in a household where basketball was more than just a game – it was a way of life, a path to success, and a foundation for the intense sibling rivalry that would ultimately push both athletes to achieve greatness at the collegiate and professional levels.
The Reese siblings, children of Michael Reese and Angel Webb Reese, were raised in Baltimore, Maryland, where they both attended Saint Frances Academy, a school that Angel described as being “literally across the street from a prison,” highlighting the challenging environment from which both athletes emerged through their dedication to basketball and academic excellence.
“Everything was always competitive with my younger brother,” Angel revealed in a March 2022 interview with What’s Up?, explaining how their shared passion for basketball created an environment of constant improvement and mutual challenge, “We had a basketball court in front of our house, and it was always very competitive and intense. We played all the time together. It helped shape me to who I am now.”
The competitive nature of their relationship was perfectly illustrated during an October 2023 Q&A posted on March Madness’ YouTube channel, where both siblings were asked the same question about who would win when they played as children, with each confidently claiming victory – Angel dismissing Julian’s claim that he would beat her “100 to 20” times by saying “He’s out of his mind. He knows I have the better shoe, he buys expensive stuff though.”
Both Angel and Julian followed remarkably similar paths to collegiate basketball success, with both siblings committing to the University of Maryland before graduating high school, creating a unique dynamic where they would both represent the same program, though at different times in their respective careers and with different expectations placed upon their shoulders.
The announcement of Julian’s commitment to Maryland became a heartwarming family moment when he surprised his mother on Mother’s Day in 2020, presenting her with a black sweatshirt featuring a picture of both siblings during their visit to Maryland on the front and the word “committed” on the back, creating a memory that would forever symbolize their shared journey in basketball.
“It meant a lot to me,” Julian told the Baltimore Sun in June 2020, reflecting on his commitment decision and the significance of following his sister’s path to Maryland, “I felt like that was [my mom’s] top pick too, so I feel like that would have been a good surprise for Mother’s Day,” demonstrating the close family bond that has always influenced their major life decisions.
Their mother, Angel Webb Reese, understood the unique pressures that would come with both children playing at the same institution, explaining to reporters that “it puts different pressures on both of them” – with Angel facing expectations due to her high ranking and Julian dealing with the pressure of playing at a school where his sister was already known and celebrated.
At the University of Maryland, Julian established himself as a formidable defensive presence and starting forward over four seasons, with his impact on the team’s defensive performance being so significant that Maryland ranked in the 97th percentile of defenses when he was on the court, proving that his contributions extended far beyond individual statistics and into team success.
“He knows our drop coverage really well. He’s a smart basketball player. So it makes life on everybody else a little bit easier,” Coach Kevin Willard told The Diamondback in March 2024, praising Julian’s basketball intelligence and physical presence, “And he’s 6-foot-10, he’s physical, and he throws his body around, which really helps in this league,” highlighting his value to the team’s overall strategy.
During the 2023-24 season, Julian’s importance to the Maryland program became evident when he recorded the 13th-most minutes played in the Big Ten league, demonstrating his essential role on the team despite rumors that he might enter the transfer portal, with Julian responding to speculation by saying “Just focus on the task at hand. I like my guys in here, just staying with them and not worrying about stuff like that.”
Julian’s collegiate career reached its pinnacle when he helped lead Maryland to the NCAA Tournament in March 2025, though the journey ended with disappointment as the team was eliminated after losing to Florida 87-71 in what would be the final game of his college career, closing a chapter that had been defined by consistent improvement and defensive excellence.
Throughout their parallel basketball journeys, Angel has consistently looked out for her younger brother’s interests, particularly after the NCAA approved name, image and likeness (NIL) deals in 2021, with Angel immediately including Julian in her business ventures and suggesting him whenever companies asked about male athletes they could partner with for marketing opportunities.
“They’re like, ‘Do you know any players?’ And I’m like, ‘My brother?'” Angel told Sports Illustrated in March 2022, explaining her strategy for including Julian in NIL deals, “I try to include him in as many deals as I can because once I’m able to leave here [Maryland], hopefully we can sign with the same agency and do everything together, and my mom can just be right there, too.”
The contrasting personalities of the Reese siblings became apparent in their different approaches to success and publicity, with their mother describing Angel as having a “very strong personality” while Julian is more “laid back,” noting that “You will see him, definitely, before you hear him. He’s not a young man of many words,” highlighting how their different temperaments complement each other perfectly.
This personality difference was perfectly illustrated when both siblings landed a deal with Tom Brady, with Angel unable to contain her excitement about the opportunity while Julian maintained his characteristic calm demeanor, leading Angel to express amazement at his nonchalant reaction to representing one of the most famous athletes in the world.
In June 2025, Julian’s professional basketball dreams became reality when he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as an undrafted free agent, making his debut in the NBA Summer League on July 6, 2025, and receiving immediate support and advice from his sister, who told reporters “I told him to show up first and make sure you’re at the front of the line for drills. I text him everyday … I’m really happy for him and proud of him.”
Angel celebrated Julian’s Lakers contract with a post on X, writing “OPPORTUNITY. COME ON JU,” demonstrating that despite their individual success and busy professional schedules, the sibling bond that was forged on those competitive Baltimore courts remains as strong as ever, proving that family support can be the foundation for achieving even the most ambitious professional dreams.