Julian Reese, younger brother of Chicago Sky star Angel Reese, has been invited to join the Los Angeles Lakers’ NBA Summer Camp roster. This opportunity places him on a path toward securing a position with LeBron James’ team, marking a significant step forward in his basketball career.

Angel Reese’s family has deep basketball roots, with their mother, Angel Webb Reese, being a former college basketball standout. Angel Reese herself gained national attention as a top recruit, ranked second by ESPN in 2020, surpassing several notable players including Caitlin Clark. Now, her brother Julian, who played four seasons for the Maryland Terrapins, is pursuing his own success and hopes to follow similar footsteps with the Lakers.

Julian Reese’s NBA Summer Camp Invitation Sparks Excitement

Despite a college career that did not attract widespread star-level attention, Julian Reese’s invitation to the Lakers summer camp offers him a chance to showcase his skills alongside LeBron James’ son, Bronny James. Angel Reese expressed her encouragement on social media shortly after the announcement:

“OPPORTUNITY. COME ON JU.”
— Angel Reese, basketball player

She is fully aware that Julian’s resume may not initially highlight him as a standout, but the chance to impress Lakers coaches and executives is what matters most. If Julian leverages this opportunity well, he could earn a valuable two-way contract and possibly join the NBA’s ranks.

Potential Earnings Could Surpass Sister’s Entire Rookie Contract

Julian Reese has until the end of the Lakers’ NBA Summer Camp to demonstrate his abilities. If he performs well, the Lakers may offer him a two-way contract, which typically pays approximately half of the NBA rookie minimum salary. For the 2024-25 season, this figure stands at $578,577, and it is likely to increase with rising salary caps.

A two-way contract around $600,000 would allow Julian to earn nearly double the total amount of Angel Reese’s entire four-year WNBA rookie contract. This stark pay disparity between the NBA and WNBA highlights the ongoing financial gap in professional basketball salaries.

Should Julian progress to secure a full rookie contract, his earnings could start at roughly $1.2 million, greatly surpassing his sister’s income from professional basketball. This situation underscores the economic gap within the sport, with NBA players commanding significantly higher salaries even at early career stages.

Angel Reese’s Recent Performance Highlights Her Continued Impact

Meanwhile, Angel Reese remains a key figure for the Chicago Sky. In their recent matchup against the Golden State Valkyries, Reese pulled down an impressive 18 rebounds, helping keep her team competitive despite the absence of fellow post player Kamilla Cardoso. Cardoso is currently away representing Brazil in the AmeriCup, which left Reese as the primary interior presence.

The Valkyries controlled the glass with 42 total rebounds, using their advantage and momentum to edge the Sky and secure an 83-78 victory. Although Angel made crucial rebounds and scored late to narrow the gap, Golden State’s late free throws sealed the win.

Angel Reese’s consistent double-doubles affirm her status as one of the WNBA’s better young talents, and the Sky will seek to rebound as they continue their West Coast road trip facing the Los Angeles Sparks again.

Broader Context of Reese Family’s Basketball Journey

Basketball talent runs through the Reese family, beginning with their mother Angel Webb Reese’s college success, passing down to Angel Reese’s rise as a highly recruited star, and now extending to Julian Reese’s promising NBA opportunity. Angel Reese’s trajectory included numerous Division 1 offers and a strong WNBA presence, while Julian is now on the cusp of breaking into the professional ranks.

Their story reflects the challenges and achievements encountered when transitioning from collegiate to professional basketball, especially within families where basketball is a shared passion. The prospect of Julian playing alongside LeBron James or his son Bronny adds an intriguing narrative to the Lakers’ summer camp.

As Julian Reese works to make the Lakers’ roster this summer, his progress will be closely watched by fans and family alike, with Angel Reese’s vocal support underscoring the significance of this moment in their basketball journeys.