The Chase Center was buzzing with energy as the No. 4 seed Maryland Terrapins faced off against top-seeded Florida in a high-stakes Sweet 16 showdown. But amidst the intense atmosphere, an unusual and somewhat awkward moment occurred between two of basketball’s rising stars-Julian Reese and his sister, Angel Reese.
Angel, the Chicago Sky‘s seventh overall pick and already a shining rookie in the WNBA, was all in on supporting her younger brother.
Decked out in a black jacket with the words “JuJu Sister” boldly emblazoned on the back and “I’m from Baltimore” printed on the front, Angel made sure everyone knew who she was there for.
The Baltimore reference was likely a nod to Maryland center Derik Queen‘s statement after his game-winner in the Round of 32.
However, the support appeared to be one-sided. As Julian stepped off the team bus with a serious, locked-in demeanor, his sister was right there with her phone out, recording him with pride. But he completely ignored her. No smile, no nod, not even a glance.
Just straight ahead, heading to the court with laser focus.
Florida’s Dominance Crushes Maryland’s Hopes
Perhaps Julian‘s cold response was a reflection of his focus on the game, as he prepared to face off against a formidable Florida team. Unfortunately for him, his performance wasn’t enough to turn the tide. Despite his respectable contribution of 12 points and 8 rebounds, the Terrapins were no match for Florida’s second-half onslaught.
The Gators dominated the final stretch of the game, going on a crushing 13-2 run in the last seven minutes, eventually securing an 87-72 victory.
While Maryland tried to contain Florida’s perimeter threats, their defense completely neglected Rueben Chinyelu, who scored three easy buckets within two minutes.
Despite the best efforts of Derik Queen, who dropped 27 points while going a perfect 10-for-10 at the line, Maryland’s offensive struggles were glaring. Only four players managed to score, with one of their bench players only taking a single shot with 30 seconds left on the clock.
Angel Reese summed up her frustration with a social media post that read, “that game stressed me out man .” It’s a sentiment shared by many Maryland fans who watched their team’s season come to an abrupt end.
What’s Next for Julian Reese?
With his senior season now over, Julian Reese faces a crucial decision about his future. Much like his sister, he’s proven himself to be a reliable double-double machine.
His performances throughout the season, including 18 points and 10 rebounds against Villanova, and 19 points and 11 boards against Northwestern, have earned him his third straight All-Big Ten Honorable Mention.
Even as Maryland’s season ended in disappointment, Reese continued to break records. During the NCAA Tournament’s second-round win over Colorado State, he became only the second player in Maryland history to grab 1,000 career rebounds.
That accomplishment was overshadowed by their eventual defeat, but it’s a testament to Reese‘s talent and hard work.
Now, all eyes are on the 21-year-old forward as he contemplates declaring for the NBA Draft. Although he’s currently projected as a second-round pick, his consistent performances and potential could sway scouts in his favor.
Should Julian Reese enter the NBA, the Reese family would become just the seventh sibling duo to have members in both the NBA and WNBA.
And if he does, Angel Reese will no doubt be there, front and center, flexing her support every step of the way.
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