Angel Reese’s Brother Makes Major NBA Move

SPORTS_BKL-POE-COLUMN-TB Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese 5 is introduced before the Skys home opener against the Connecticut Sun at Wintrust Arena in Chicago on May 25, 2024. Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/TNS Chicago IL USA EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx 170911228W ChrisxSwedax krtphotoslive962384 IMAGO/Newscom World

Angel Reese’s Brother Makes Major NBA Move

Originally posted on HerSportsNation
By Chionia Libania Colaco | Last updated Sep 24, 2026 8:43 PM ET

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Angel Reese is one of the biggest names in women’s basketball, but the latest headline about her family comes from a different court. Her brother, Julian Reese, is making moves of his own, and a major development is sending his career in a new direction, giving the basketball world another reason to watch closely.

That major development is that the younger Reese has signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans. The deal gives the 23-year-old forward another chance to prove himself, joining a Pelicans roster that’s adding young talent ahead of training camp for the 2026-27 season.

True to form, Angel didn’t let the moment pass quietly. She took to Instagram to celebrate her brother’s new chapter, sharing the news with her massive following and reaffirming the bond the Reese siblings have shown throughout their respective basketball journeys.

The WNBA star re-shared a post on her Instagram story put out by the New Orleans Pelicans to welcome Julian Reese to the team.

However, for Julian, it’s been a winding road to get here. At Maryland, Reese built a strong college résumé, finishing his career second on the Terrapins’ all-time rebounding list and becoming just the second player in program history to reach 1,000 career points and 1,000 rebounds.

Despite that, he went undrafted in 2025 before earning a two-way deal with the Washington Wizards, putting together a stretch of double-digit scoring and rebounding across just over a dozen appearances.

In August, he was swept up in a multi-team trade to the Denver Nuggets, only to be waived shortly after, leaving his NBA future uncertain heading into the fall.

Now, with a new jersey and a clean slate in New Orleans, Julian gets the chance to write the next chapter on his own terms.

Julian Reese reunites with former Maryland star Derik Queen

In New Orleans, Reese won’t be walking into an unfamiliar frontcourt. He’ll be teaming up with former Maryland teammate Derik Queen, a 2025 first-round pick who had a mixed rookie season.

Queen’s scoring and rebounding numbers were modest, and his shooting from the field and beyond the arc left room for improvement. Still, he flashed real upside at times, including a handful of 30-point games and two triple-doubles.

The pairing isn’t new territory for the two. According to The Baltimore Sun, back at Maryland, Reese and Queen were the driving force behind a Sweet 16 run, combining for huge scoring and rebounding numbers on a nightly basis.

One of the enduring memories of that stretch came in the NCAA Tournament, when Queen hit a last-second shot to send the Terrapins past Colorado State.

Now, the two get a chance to build that same chemistry again, but this time in Pelicans uniforms instead of Maryland’s.

This article first appeared on TheSheGotGame and was syndicated with permission.

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