Angel Reese and her Chicago Sky teammates traveled to Washington to play against the Mystics on Tuesday, providing a special moment for Reese as she reunited with her mother and brother Julian. Following the game, Reese’s mother shared a touching photo featuring Julian and captioned it affectionately, highlighting the close family bond during their time in Washington.

Growing up, Reese credited her mother as her guiding force, recalling the early influence of attending her mom’s Sunday games. This connection sparked her lifelong passion for basketball, and she often speaks about her mother’s strength and independence as a single parent raising both Reese and Julian.

Earlier this year, on her mother’s birthday, Angel surprised her on Reese’s podcast, Unapologetically Angel, by revealing she had paid off her mother’s mortgage in full—a cherished milestone for the family. Despite the Sky’s 103-86 loss against the Mystics, Reese maintained her impressive performance with a double-double, scoring 22 points and pulling down 13 rebounds.

Angel Reese encourages brother Julian after Lakers signing

Angel Reese expressed great enthusiasm following her brother Julian’s signing with the LA Lakers after going undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft. She offered him practical advice on making the most of his new professional opportunity as he embarks on his NBA journey.

“Opportunity. You’ve got to maximize it because you don’t get these opportunities twice,” Reese told reporters. “I told him to show up first and make sure you’re at the front of the line for drills.”

“He doesn’t have the opportunity to slack off,” she added. “He has to maximize it and really push through and really show his all, because it’s now or never. I think he has a really great opportunity, especially with the Lakers and what they need in the frontcourt.”

Julian Reese agreed to an undrafted free agent contract with the Lakers for the NBA Summer League after completing his collegiate career at Maryland. Over his time with the Terrapins, he amassed 1,488 points and 1,015 rebounds, joining an elite group of just two players in Maryland history to surpass 1,000 in both statistics.

Although Julian’s name was not called during draft night, his collegiate achievements secured him a spot in the Summer League, offering a pathway to potentially earn a two-way contract or training camp invitation with the Lakers.

Family achievements mark hopeful future in basketball

This family reunion in Washington underscores the deep support system that has helped Angel Reese succeed. Her journey, inspired by her mother’s resilience, continues as she balances her WNBA career with uplifting those close to her. Julian’s next steps with the Lakers carry hopeful promise for expanding the family’s basketball legacy. Their story reflects not only individual talent but also the power of family dedication in reaching professional milestones.