From undrafted to franchise history. Julian Reese's whirlwind NBA debut ignites a remarkable journey.
Life came at Julian Reese fast. Not just fast, but maybe even supersonic speeds.
On Saturday, the Wizards signed the former Maryland standout to a two-way contract, providing a much-needed body in the frontcourt. With Alex Sarr still considered week-to-week and Tristan Vukcevic in and out of the lineup with a thigh injury, the Wizards needed a big bad.
Reese, who played 14 games with Raptors 905, Toronto's G-League affiliate, finally got the opportunity he was searching for. His new contract meant his NBA debut loomed.
On Monday, he didn't just play in an NBA game for the first time in his life -- he started and took the opening tip.
Reese becomes the first Wizards rookie to start in his NBA debut in a non-season opener since at least the ABA-NBA merger in 1976-77, according to Wizards PR.
How did we get here? It's quite the journey for the Baltimore product. Was this unexpected? Probably. However, when you're an undrafted product trying to find a footing in this league, one opportunity can mean everything.
When you get your chance, you take it under any circumstances -- and for Reese, this situation is unique. He joined the team on Saturday, which was a home game against his former organization. With another game looming last night, the team never even had a formal practice for him to participate in.
Still, Reese started and played 28 minutes in his NBA debut. The 6'9 center scored his first NBA points and took just three shots. He collected four rebounds in his largely tough assignment against Alperen Şengün, who is just outside the league's top ten in rebounding. Reese eventually fouled out.
"I thought he was really steady...he gave us some physicality and kind of knew what we were doing defensively," Wizards head coach Brian Keefe said.
Washington was crushed on the glass. Houston outrebounded it 59-27.
"We were undersized tonight, but that's no excuse," Keefe said.
In 14 games for Raptors 905, Reese averaged 8.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, and just under one block. He provided some defensive prowess last night, notching three steals.
"I was really pleased with him on short notice being able to fill in for tonight -- thought he did a good job," Keefe said.
Reese was part of the University of Maryland's "Crab Five" starting lineup, which carried the Terps to their first Sweet 16 since 2016. He and Pelicans C Derik Queen proved to be a lethal frontcourt in the Big Ten.
In his senior season, Reese averaged 13.3 points and 9 rebounds.
Hailing from Baltimore, Md, Reese played for St Frances Academy alongside his new teammate Bub Carrington.
With Sarr still out for the time being, Reese will likely see plenty of playing time over the rest of the season.