Julian Reese didn’t hear his name called on draft night, but he landed an opportunity with one of the NBA’s marquee franchises on Friday. The former Maryland big man has signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. His former teammate, Selton Miguel, signed with the Utah Jazz.
One of the most productive interior players in recent program history, Reese racked up more 1,000 career points and rebounds, finishing in the top-10 in Maryland’s career record book in rebounds (2nd), field goal percentage (fourth) and blocks (ninth), posted 37 double-doubles and was a consistent force on the glass and around the rim in Big Ten play. But questions about his limited offensive game kept him from being drafted, so instead, he’ll try to catch on with LeBron.
Meanwhile, Miguel is headed west as well after signing an undrafted free agent deal with the Utah Jazz after a strong final college season at Maryland. A 6-foot-4 wing with a strong build and reliable 3-point shot, quietly became one of the most efficient shooters in the Big Ten, knocking down 42.3 percent of his threes. His name hasn’t been mentioned much during the pre-draft hype and he’ll have to show he can defend at the NB level, but every team needs shooters.
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Reese performed well in April at the Portsmouth Invitational, the annual Virginia showcase for accomplished college prospects looking to boost their pro stock, averaging 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds while shooting a scorching 9-for-10 from the free-throw line.
“Julian Reese is officially my best big man here,” Cyro Asseo of HoopsHype posted on X during the event. “Sets good screens, rim runs well, and projects as a decent shot blocker. He might be the best big man here.”
Both players have uphill climbs, but they’ll have opportunities to impress during the NBA Summer League, which begins July 11.
“He’s going to be one of the few rare exceptions in college basketball where someone stayed all four years … I really believe one day Julian’s number will be hanging from the rafters,” former Maryland coach Kevin Willard said in March. “Because in an era where kids showed no loyalty, kids get up and go anytime they want, money this and that, this young man didn’t transfer
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