Angel Reese’s Brother Julian Signs with Lakers After Going Undrafted — A Summer League Journey Begins
When Julian Reese’s name wasn’t called during the 2025 NBA Draft, it could’ve been one of those heartbreaking, silent moments. The kind where time slows down, and everyone in the room tries not to make eye contact, unsure of what to say. But for Julian, it wasn’t the end. Just a few hours later, the Los Angeles Lakers reached out with a Summer League opportunity—a shot at redemption, at proving his worth, at continuing the dream. And perhaps most beautifully, it was his sister, WNBA star Angel Reese, who said it best: “Opportunity. Come on Ju.”
This wasn’t just another transaction for the Lakers. Signing Julian Reese for the NBA Summer League feels like a move rooted in both basketball logic and emotional storylines. He’s not just some random big man hoping to sneak onto a roster. He’s someone who built a legacy at Maryland. Someone who carried the weight of expectations, hard work, and family pride. And someone who, despite being undrafted, still earned a shot at the purple and gold jersey.
Julian stands 6-foot-9, plays with a quiet but forceful energy, and has the kind of numbers that speak for themselves. Over his college career with the Maryland Terrapins, he became just the second player in school history to log over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. Let that sink in. That’s not just consistency—it’s grit, endurance, and a whole lot of hustle. In his final season, he averaged more than 13 points and nearly 9 rebounds a game. He wasn’t flashy, but he was effective. He didn’t always trend on Twitter, but he showed up, night after night, doing the hard work in the paint.
But maybe the most compelling part of this story isn’t the stats—it’s the bond between two siblings who made it to the big leagues in the same year. Angel Reese, the face of college basketball’s recent explosion into pop culture, is now a rising star in the WNBA with the Chicago Sky. She’s got the charisma, the confidence, and the game to match. Her journey from LSU to the pros made her a household name. And now, her younger brother is stepping into his own spotlight, chasing a dream that’s just as personal, just as emotional.
Angel’s reaction to the news was everything. No long captions. No dramatic edits. Just a single line shared through her agency and echoed on her social media: “OPPORTUNITY. COME ON JU.” That was all she needed to say. Because anyone who knows Angel knows how deeply she loves her family. Behind every highlight reel and courtside stare is a girl from Baltimore who’s always had her brother’s back. And now, the world gets to watch them both take the next step—her in the WNBA, him in the NBA Summer League.
Their mother also chimed in online, proudly sharing a screenshot of the Lakers announcement with the hashtag “#NBASummerLeague.” And just like that, a family moment turned into a national story. It wasn’t about fame. It wasn’t even really about basketball. It was about possibility. About doors opening. About what happens when you don’t give up.
Julian’s path to the NBA was never guaranteed. He didn’t enter the draft with first-round buzz or viral mixtapes. But what he did bring was a resume full of hard-earned accolades. Thirty-seven career double-doubles. Top 10 all-time at Maryland in rebounds, blocks, and field goal percentage. Coaches who called him reliable. Teammates who trusted him on both ends of the floor. That’s the kind of foundation the Lakers look for—especially when building out their Summer League squad, where every player is hungry, overlooked, and fighting for a seat at the table.
And now the real challenge begins. The Summer League isn’t a vacation; it’s a battlefield. Young players, undrafted guys, and international prospects all battling for one thing: a chance. For Julian, every rebound, every box-out, every second of hustle will matter. Because he’s not just trying to impress scouts—he’s trying to prove that Maryland toughness, that Reese family drive, can hold up under NBA lights.
Imagine it. Las Vegas. A Lakers Summer League game. Julian checks in, wearing that iconic jersey, his heart pounding as Angel watches courtside, probably holding back tears. The cameras might catch her nodding, whispering, “Come on Ju.” And maybe, just maybe, Julian grabs a huge rebound, fights through contact, scores with a smooth hook shot, and the crowd roars. It’s not just about the basket—it’s about all the mornings in the gym, the setbacks, the doubt, and now the breakthrough.
That’s the magic of these moments. Not because they’re guaranteed to lead to a long-term deal. But because they make us believe. They remind us that sports aren’t just about rings and awards. They’re about stories. Families. People chasing things that seem far away until they suddenly aren’t.
Julian may not be a lock for an NBA roster. He may not light up the stat sheet in Summer League. But what he represents right now is everything fans love about the game. Heart. Grit. A second chance. And behind him is a sister who knows what it means to carry the weight of expectation and still rise.
So while the NBA world focuses on trades and superstars, keep your eye on Julian Reese. He might not be trending yet, but he’s got something you can’t teach—resilience. And with Angel in his corner, the Lakers might just have found more than a prospect. They may have found a story worth rooting for.