The Los Angeles Lakers signed Maryland product Julian Reese to an undrafted free agent contract Friday, bringing the large man in for the NBA Summer time League. Reese is the brother of Chicago Sky All-Star Angel Reese and is now set to hitch her as an expert basketball participant. The 1,000-point scorer can have a possibility within the coming months to earn a roster spot with the Lakers.
As a four-year participant within the Large Ten, Reese tallied 102 begins and 134 profession appearances and have become one in all simply two gamers in Maryland historical past (together with Len Elmore) to build up no less than 1,000 factors and 1,000 rebounds. He’s the second-leading rebounder in Terrapins historical past along with his 1,015 boards. Reese additionally stands within the high 10 within the college’s document books in profession taking pictures share (55.7%) double-doubles (37) and for single-season rebounds (325).
“OPPORTUNITY. COME ON JU,” Angel Reese mentioned on social media in response to her brother’s signing.
Reese was a key piece of Maryland’s “Crab 5” lineup that reached the Candy 16 throughout the 2025 NCAA Event. He averaged 13.3 factors and 9 rebounds per sport and picked up All-Large Ten honorable point out standing for the third time in his profession.
“I actually imagine someday Julian’s quantity will probably be hanging from the rafters,” former Maryland coach Kevin Willard mentioned throughout Reese’s senior season. “As a result of in an period the place children confirmed no loyalty, children rise up and go anytime they need, cash this and that, this younger man did not switch.”
Whereas he was not a premier draft prospect, Reese elevated his inventory this spring on the Portsmouth Invitational, an annual showcase in Virginia devoted to serving to faculty basketball standouts construct their draft profiles. He tallied 15.5 factors and 9.5 rebounds throughout the match and landed on the occasion’s All-Star crew.
The Lakers are seeking a middle to finish their beginning lineup, and whereas Reese doesn’t present the veteran presence the franchise must compete for a championship, he might stick as a depth piece if he performs nicely this summer time. They traded up within the second spherical to pick Arkansas ahead Adou Thiero with their lone decide within the 2025 draft.