The modern NBA has become supersized. Many teams have left the small-ball experiment in the rearview mirror, and the double-big lineups of old have resurfaced.
Yet, among the giants stands Washington Wizards’ 6-foot-9 center Julian “JuJu” Reese.
The undrafted rookie’s NBA career is nearly as young as it gets. After starting the season with the Raptors 905 – Toronto’s G-League affiliate – Reese signed a two-way contract with the Washington Wizards in February. Just seven games in, he’s filled in for the mainly injured Alex Sarr and turned heads.
Before the league, Reese was a Maryland Terrapins staple, playing four seasons and 134 games. Now, in the NBA, he’s proving that production in the paint isn’t dictated by height alone.
Reese’s Short Stretch as a Wizard
This year, Reese is averaging 11.4 points and 11 rebounds per game on an efficient 58.1% from the field. But what really stands out is his game-by-game progression.
His first NBA game was a typical, quiet debut. Called up from the minor league, Reese stepped in for the hobbled Washington team in a loss against the Houston Rockets. He recorded two points and four rebounds.
It didn’t take him long to get comfortable thereafter.
Just a day later, Reese more than quadrupled his scoring output, posting nine points and eight rebounds against the Orlando Magic.
But it was his third game in the association where he truly came out of his shell.
Against the Utah Jazz, Reese recorded his first double-double with 18 points and a monstrous 20 rebounds, including 10 on the offensive glass. That’s good for the most rebounds in a game by a rookie this season.
The standout showing was so strong it made franchise history – the most offensive rebounds in a game by a Wizards rookie ever.
He joined an elite company, too.
Even after making history, Reese had yet to deliver his magnum opus. That came in Washington’s next matchup with the Utah Jazz.
In the winning effort, he totaled a career-high 26 points and 17 rebounds, missing just four shots. He put in work on defense, too, recording two steals and blocks combined.
Leading the Wizards to their first win since February, Reese joined Don Barksdale and Austin Reaves as the only undrafted rookies with at least 25 points and 15 rebounds in a game.
The history-making part is impressive. But more importantly, it capped off a performance that validated his place in the league.
Heart Over Height
Playing in the paint, a below-average frame doesn’t take centers very far. What takes them far is grit, energy, and hustle. That’s exactly what Reese showcases and is what makes for these loud numbers.
He displayed that effort in his 26-point outburst.
Take this play, for example. As Sharife Cooper drives to the rim and attempts a layup, two Jazz defenders are already swarming Reese. After Cooper’s shot is blocked, Reese breaks free by fending off Cody Williams on his right. Offering more resistance is John Konchar on his left, whom he overpowers with his strength and eye for the ball.
The work ethic is evident on bigger defenders, too.
In his first double-figure scoring game, he racked up 10 offensive rebounds while handling the seven-footer Mo Bamba and 6-foot-11 Kyle Filipowski. For his 10th point of the matchup, he finds Filipowski as soon as the ball leaves Will Riley‘s hands, seals him, and gets low to barrel him out of the way before the putback.
Reese himself credits that edge to more than just physical tools. He told The Lead’s Jarrett Spence that rebounding is both a physical and mental skill.
“It takes a lot of heart to do it,” Reese said. “It comes with a lot of experience in knowing where the ball comes off the rim, knowing where guys are going to shoot… a lot of technique that comes with it.”
And his scoring isn’t limited to hustle plays. Reese has flashed aggressive footwork in isolation.
Here, he faces up Elijah Harkless and manhandles him with two hard bumps before scoring two. He has utilized soft touch with other post moves as well.
The rookie is playing like a giant in a 6-foot-9 center’s body. With the way he’s performing, his energy may earn him an official roster spot, adding to the Washington Wizards’ young core.
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