LOS ANGELES— Angel Reese silenced critics Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles with a season-high 24 points along with 16 rebounds in the Chicago Sky’s 92-85 comeback victory against the Sparks.
Spoiling Sparks fans’ celebration of Candace Parker’s jersey retirement, the second-year All-Star also added seven assists in the victory, embracing a “point-forward” role by dishing to teammates for corner threes and leading fast breaks.
However, the “Double-Double Barbie” may not be the only Reese to shine at Crypto.Com Arena in 2025.
On Friday, the Lakers signed her younger brother Julian Reese as an un-drafted free agent. A 6’9 forward out of Maryland, Julian Reese will have to prove himself in the NBA Summer League for a chance to make the Lakers final roster.
Reese got emotional talking about her brother’s journey to the NBA.
“I’m so proud of my brother, obviously it makes me super emotional just because I know his journey,” Reese said. Fighting tears, she detailed the sacrifices her mother had to make as a single-mom to help Julian with his basketball journey.
“I know my mom is really proud, and I’m really proud of my brother, and I really hope he gets the opportunity to play in the league because I know he deserves it.”
Nicknamed “Juju”, Reese played four years for the Maryland Terrapins. He shared one year at the university with his sister before she transferred to LSU–where she eventually won the 2023 National Championship as a junior.
Julian Reese was a three-time All-BIG Ten honorable mention at Maryland, and the second player in program history to post 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. Anchoring the “Crab Five” lineup, Reese started at center during the school’s run to the Sweet Sixteen in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.