Washington Wizards forward Julian Reese (15) reaches for a rebound in front of Utah Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski (22)in the second half at Capital One Arena.
Mar 5, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Julian Reese (15) reaches for a rebound in front of Utah Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski (22)in the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
NBA

NBA World Reacts to Angel Reese’s Brother Julian Reese’s ‘CRAZY’ Performance in His 3rd Career Game: ‘Angelic Stuff’

Julian Reese put up 18 points and 20 rebounds in his third NBA game, and the basketball world couldn't help but take notice.

Julian Reese has wasted absolutely no time announcing himself. In only his third career NBA game, the Washington Wizards rookie delivered a performance so eye-catching that the basketball world stopped scrolling and started talking; and the Reese family name was trending for all the right reasons.

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Historic Numbers From Julian Reese, Who Wasn’t Even on a Roster a Month Ago

To appreciate just how stunning Thursday night’s showing was, the context matters. Reese was signed by Washington on a two-way contract just weeks ago to provide frontcourt depth on an injury-riddled roster. He fouled out in his debut. He found his footing in game two with nine points, eight rebounds, and three assists. And then, in game three against the Utah Jazz, he went off for 18 points and 20 rebounds, including 10 offensive boards, shooting 5-of-7 from the field and a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line.

Those numbers don’t just look good on a box score. They tell a story. Reese’s 20 rebounds were the most by any rookie in a single game this entire season. His 10 offensive rebounds set a franchise rookie single-game record for the Wizards.

And Washington had not seen a rookie pull down 20 boards in a game since Tom Gugliotta did it back in 1993. All of that in 33 minutes, as a two-way player, in his third professional NBA appearance.

The basketball world noticed immediately. Def Pen Hoops captured the mood simply and perfectly, “Julian Reese put up 18 & 20 in just his third NBA game. Angelic stuff.”

Sports editor Greg Finberg added further weight to the milestone, writing, “Julian Reese set the Wizards single-game franchise rookie record with 10 offensive rebounds tonight. Impressive showing from the Maryland product in just his third NBA game.”

And then StatMuse delivered perhaps the most poetic observation of the night, noting that Angel Reese was the youngest WNBA player to record 18-plus points and 10-plus offensive rebounds in a game last season, and that her brother Julian is now the youngest NBA player to do the same this season.

Official X account for Ball is Life provided the historical anchor:, “Julian Reese had 18 PTS (71% FG) & 20 REB (10 ORB) in his 3rd NBA game! Most rebounds by any rookie this season and the most by a Washington rookie since Googs in 1993.”

The Reese Siblings Are Becoming a Sport-Wide Phenomenon

Washington ultimately fell 122-112 to the Jazz, with Ace Bailey stealing the spotlight on the other end with a career-high 32 points. Trae Young also made his long-awaited Wizards debut, finishing with 12 points and six assists in 19 restricted minutes. But even on a night with two significant storylines competing for attention, Reese’s rebounding performance cut through the noise.

Head coach Brian Keefe had already seen enough after game two to know what he had on his hands. “We can run our offense through him. You can see his passing ability. He’s fit, he’s big, he’s physical, he’s a good rebounder,” Keefe said.

Thursday’s performance validated every word of that assessment and then some.

For a player who went undrafted in 2025, spent time in the G-League, and signed a two-way deal on short notice, Julian Reese is making a compelling case that his presence in Washington is no accident.

With a sister who redefined what a WNBA rookie could look like, the Reese siblings are quietly turning into one of the most compelling stories in professional basketball, on both sides of the gender divide.

Saumya Khanduja
Written by Saumya Khanduja

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