Angel Reese Sets a New Standard for Brother Juju Reese as Chicago Star’s Silent Response to Portsmouth Tournament Performance Leaves Fans Talking

When your sister dominates the paint, the spotlight, and the sneaker game—expectations aren’t optional. And why not? Everyone knows Angel Reese. The WNBA rebounding machine, who’s expected to get her signature Reebok sneaker next year, is quickly becoming one of the league’s most popular players. So when her brother recently put on a dominant show, she didn’t just resort to praising him. She made sure he knew that from here, the bar only rises.

This spring, Maryland senior Julian “Juju” was a force to be reckoned with. His impressive display during his senior year earned him an invitation to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (PIT) in April 2025, a ticket to the big leagues that comes in the form of a golden envelope, promising to boost his draft stock.

Every year since 1953, 64 seniors have been invited to compete in front ofeachNBA team’s scouts. As a result, the tournament has become a venue where hidden gems shine and long shots become headline-grabbers. Last year, Maryland sent Jahmir Young and Donta Scott. Jahmir came up short, turned heads, and earned a spot with the Chicago Bulls. This year, it’s Juju’s turn—and boy, does he deliver.

Reese, the former Maryland big man, has been one of the standout performers in the first two games of the Pit. He’s averaging 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds while shooting a scorching 9-for-10 from the free-throw line. He might not be lighting up the mocks just yet, but Juju is out here writing his, as always! Whether he slides into the second round or follows Jahmir’s path as a hot ticket undrafted free agent, one thing is for sure: he’s making NBA teams take notice.

So how could Reese not praise her brother, who, just like her, doesn’t ask for a seat at the table? He brings his own chair, he’s ready to eat, and now we know how sturdy those chairs are from the Reese household. After all, as Angel once said, “Family business! We get it from our mama!” And you know what, she doesn’t need heavy words to get her message across to her brother. It’s the same juju, and it’s the same Angel.Whatmore, then, could big sister have needed a simple emoji?

Although Juju’s NBA future remains uncertain, he has lived up to his family name, giving his fans hope and positivity. Juju cruised this season, averaging 13.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. He was the heartbeat of the Terrapins’ run, which ended in the Sweet 16 at the hands of the eventual champions, Florida. But for Juju, making noise with a deep run wasn’t enough. He wanted to back up his story with something historic. And just like a true Reese, he became only the second player in Maryland history with over 1,000 career points and 1,000 rebounds, joining the great Len Elmore. Of course, Big Sis Angel was there, cheering him on from afar. “Sweet 16. Let’s dance! Go Terps!” she posted on X.

After completing his senior season, Julian is now waiting to see if his name will be called in the NBA draft at the end of June. While ESPN’s rankings of the top 100 draft prospects don’t have him in the mix, he’s a solid prospect all around. And even if his name isn’t called, that’s no longer a problem in the modern NBA, with players having opportunities like the PIT and summer league. If they shine enough in those spots, they have a chance to land a spot on a G-League team or compete for a 10-day contract.

Julian’s 6-foot-9 size, solid rebounding, and defensive potential make him an intriguing player for NBA teams looking for frontcourt depth. “Julian Reese is officially my best big man here,” HoopShype’s Cyro Asseo posted on X. “Sets good screens, rims well, and projects as a decent shot blocker. He could be the best big man here.” Reese’s ability to improve and develop was also evident in his college career as he significantly improved his free-throw shooting, going from a 53 percent free-throw shooter during his sophomore year to 74 percent during his senior year.

Where Reese really shines is on the defensive side of the ball. He’s a smart, switchable defender who makes a great effort to serve as an anchor. He also doesn’t hesitate to do the dirty work, relentlessly attacking the glass with the same tenacity as his sister. His high-motor style has made him one of the best rebounders in the Big Ten. And he never stops going to the line with just 22.4 seconds left in the game.

Despite all his upside, Juju’s main limitation for the modern NBA is his lack of outside shooting. He’s only attempted one 3-pointer in the last three seasons, which may be a concern for NBA scouts, as the league seeks bigs who can shoot 3s and stretch the floor. His offensive game is largely interior-based, and questions remain as to whether he can consistently deliver at the NBA level. But one thing to note here is that his profile has been compared to Taj Gibson, Clint Capela, and Jarrett Allen. And they’ve all survived in the NBA. The same goes for Reese, especially considering what a coachable player he is.