Julian Reese doesn\u2019t hesitate to answer the question, much like he doesn\u2019t waste any time grabbing any basketball that clangs off the rim.<\/p>\n
The question is a simple one: Who is the best rebounder in the family? Him or his big sister, WNBA star Angel Reese?<\/p>\n
\u201cMe, of course,\u201d said the New Orleans Pelicans\u2019 forward.<\/p>\n
Reese is in his second NBA season and first with the Pelicans after being signed in late September to a 2-way contract.<\/p>\n
The Pelicans coveted Reese for his rebounding prowess. He started in 10 of the 13 games he played in last season for the Washington Wizards. He averaged 11.8 points and 10.8 rebounds. That includes a season-high 20 rebounds against the Utah Jazz. He had at least 10 rebounds in six of his 13 games and recorded five double-doubles. His best game was a 26-point, 17-rebound outing, also against the Jazz. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
His minutes have been limited so far in the preseason. He logged just three minutes in last Thursday\u2019s loss to the Miami Heat, recording two points and one rebound. He will likely get more minutes as the Pels wrap up their preseason schedule this week. They play on the road against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday and then finish up the preseason slate Friday at home against his former team, the Wizards. \u00a0<\/p>\n
The Wizards signed him in February, eight months after he went undrafted in 2025.<\/p>\n
Although he hasn\u2019t played much in the NBA, the words of wisdom Angel always gives him came in handy as he waited.<\/p>\n
\u201c(She) basically just (tells me) to stay ready,\u201d Reese said. \u201cLast year I got called up late in the season. Just staying ready and taking advantage of my opportunity. Now that I have my opportunity, roll with it. I\u2019m just staying ready and just attacking and doing whatever I can for the team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pelicans\u2019 coach Jamahl Mosley likes what he\u2019s seen in Reese. Last season, Reese grabbed nine rebounds in his second NBA game playing against the Orlando Magic, coached by Mosley at the time.<\/p>\n
\u201cJulian is a workhorse,\u201d Mosley said. \u201cHe just comes in and does his job. He knows exactly how he rebounds the basketball and where he can find his spacing on the floor. He gets into the right position to be able to collect the boards. \u00a0It\u2019s fun to watch him and how he kinda dissects the way he can rebound the basketball.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rebounding runs throughout the Reese family. Angel, who starred at LSU, has led the WNBA in rebounding in each of her three seasons. His mom, Angel Webb Reese, was a star basketball player and prolific rebounder at the University of Maryland Baltimore County and is in UMBC\u2019s Athletic Hall of Fame. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI really think it\u2019s coincidence,\u201d Reese said about the rebounding gene. \u201cWe weren\u2019t just in the driveway working on rebounding. It just kinda happened. My mom was good at rebounding at UMBC, leading the country at some point. I feel like I think it\u2019s just kind of a role we found and we\u2019re taking advantage of it now.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis, left, and Washington Wizards forward Julian Reese, right, compete for a rebound during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 16, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/John McDonnell)<\/p>\n