Julian Reese is just getting started in the NBA, but he already knows how to make a moment count. In only his second career game, the Washington Wizards forward found a way to honor the person who has been in his corner from the very beginning, and he did it without saying a single word.
Julian Reese Makes A Statement For Sister Angel Reese Through Sneakers
When Julian laced up for the Wizards’ matchup against the Orlando Magic, he was not wearing just any shoe. The 22-year-old stepped onto the court in his sister Angel Reese’s signature Reebok AR1 sneakers, the Diamond Dust colorway, the same pair he had worn in his very first NBA game against the Houston Rockets. It was a quiet but unmistakable tribute to the WNBA star who has publicly championed his journey every step of the way.
And Angel was not about to miss this one.
The Chicago Sky star was courtside, draped in a Wizards jersey bearing her brother’s No. 15, visibly emotional throughout the night. At one point, she was spotted wiping tears of joy, a gesture that said everything about what this glorious moment meant to the entire family.
During a sideline interview, Angel did not hold back. “I was so emotional when I found out, I was crying so hard like I just hit the lottery,” she said. “I was just so happy because my mom was able to raise me and my brother. We were able to go to Maryland and play in front of our family, but they have a good treat and I’m happy for D.C.”
The connection between the two runs deep. Both grew up in Baltimore and attended the University of Maryland together, which made Julian’s signing with the Wizards, a D.C.-area franchise, carry an especially personal weight for the entire family. When she first learned of the deal, Angel took to social media to pour her heart out. “My baby brother. Ugh I’m so proud of you! Your journey has never been easy, and you’ve always stayed the course! Let’s go Juju!!” she wrote.
On the court, Julian delivered exactly what the Wizards signed him for. He finished with nine points, eight rebounds, and three assists across 33 minutes of play, though Washington fell to Orlando 126-109. It was a composed, well-rounded performance from a player who went undrafted in 2025, spent time in the G-League with Raptors 905, and clawed his way to an NBA two-way contract through sheer persistence.
Julian’s decision to wear the AR1 is also a nod to just how far Angel’s sneaker line has come since its launch. The Reebok Angel Reese 1 has been one of the best-selling shoes on the market since its debut in September 2025, built around an exoskeleton upper, Reebok’s Energy Return System, and a TPU stability cup for traction and grip. The Diamond Dust colorway that Julian has now worn twice on an NBA floor was one of the three original drops alongside Mebounds and Receipts Ready.
The momentum behind the line is only building. Reebok has announced four new colorways arriving in the spring and summer 2026 catalogue: Rose Dust, Unapologetically Angel, Gala Green, and Navy Halo, with the headliner sharing the same name as Angel’s podcast. “I’ve always believed your style should match your mindset,” Angel said of the upcoming drops. “Coming back to the court in these new Angel Reese 1 colorways feels powerful — each one built with intention and made to stand out.”
For now, though, the loudest statement was the one Julian made simply by lacing them up.
