On NBA Draft night, Julian Reese didn't hear his name called despite a stellar career at Maryland. But as the start of the season arrives, the former big man got a big break.
Reese has signed with the Toronto Raptors, the team announced on Friday. It's reportedly an 'Exhibit 0' deal, meaning it doesn't include guarantees and Reese is likely to begin playing with their G League team, Raptors 905. But it's an opportunity for the 6-10 center to work his way into the NBA if he impresses there.
Reese finished his career lasts season, ranking second on the Terrapins' all-time rebounds list (1,015) and joined Len Elmore as the only players in program history to total at least 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in their career. An All-Big Ten honorable mention in each of his final three seasons, he averaged 13.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals per game last season and led the Big Ten with 107 offensive rebounds while helping Maryland to its first Sweet 16 in a decade.
"I'm just kind of grateful I was able to be a part of a program like this. This is a blessing to be a part through the ups and downs. And I feel like I kind of came out, and even though we lost, I came out with my chin up and just we fought hard and we just weren't able to get it done," he said after the season ended in a loss to eventual national champion Florida.
Known outside of Maryland circles as the brother of women's basketball superstar Angel Reese, he'll have to prove his has the ability to guard NBA centers and score on that level. After his strong performance at the Portsmouth Invitation in the spring,
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"Julian Reese also turned heads at PIT, Angel Reese's brother put together some strong performances as a switchable big. Reese, at 6'10 with a 7'1 wingspan displayed the ability to guard multiple positions and be a weakside rim protector. He can contribute as a low-usage scorer and solid rebounder that gets in position well. His work on the glass and rim running stood out, as he made a noticeable impact on both ends of the floor," Cyro Asseo de Choch of Hoops Hype wrote.
"He might be the biggest five but he sets solid screens that his wide frame makes defenders have switch or go over/under. Reese's versatility as a non-shooting switch big who knows how to vertically space the floor, doesn't do too much and defensive upside make him one of the more intriguing bigs at PIT, and he's expected to be on NBA radars moving forward."
After last season, Reese entered the transfer portal in hopes of receiving a fifth year of eligibility, but it didn't pan out. He joined the Los Angeles Lakers' NBA Summer League team, but played sparingly.
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