Former University of Maryland basketball standout Julian Reese didn’t hear his name called on draft night, but he’s not letting that deter him from forging a path to the NBA.
The 6-foot-9, 230-pound forward signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as an undrafted free agent ahead of NBA Summer League after averaging 13.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per game as a senior in College Park. Reese isn’t taking the opportunity for granted and plans on making the most of it.
“It’s just an honor, being able to play for a professional team this summer,” Reese said on Glenn Clark Radio July 16. “Just trying to take it one day at a time, to get better every day and just be a sponge to all the vets I’m around right now. Just trying to be the best player I can be.”
Reese is trying to carve out a role for himself with Los Angeles. The Baltimore native has played sparingly in the summer league, totaling five points and six rebounds in 28 minutes across three games.
The most significant change between college and the summer league that he has noticed is how detail-oriented every player is. That’s how Reese plans to develop himself as a player.
“The guys that pay attention to the little things just develop themselves in the little ways that they can. Those are the ones that have the advantage over the others. I feel like if I do that, I’ll be good,” Reese said.
The 22-year-old doesn’t necessarily fit the archetype of a modern NBA big man. With the rise in prominence of 3-pointers, frontcourt players are now expected to be able to stretch the floor. Reese is primarily a post player who attempted just one three in his final three years at Maryland.
He did, however, show improvement in another area. After shooting below 60 percent from the free throw line in his sophomore and junior seasons, Reese’s free-throw percentage jumped to 73.4 percent in his senior year. His form was noticeably smoother after he ironed out a hitch that made his shooting form awkward in the years prior.
Reese is confident that he’ll become more versatile, and is striving to carve out a role in Los Angeles.
“Finding my way in their offense and trying to figure out what they want me to do. Just doing my job, watching a lot of film,” Reese said. “Expanding my game will come as the years go, and as these months go.”
During the early stages of his professional career, Reese has sought advice from other former Maryland players who are playing the next level.
Eric Ayala and Fatts Russell are currently playing overseas, while Donta Scott is playing for the Santa Cruz Warriors in the G League. Jahmir Young has played his way into a two-way contract with the Bulls, scoring 37 points in the summer league against the Milwaukee Bucks on July 26.
“I’ve definitely talked with Jahmir a lot, especially out here in Vegas. He’s out here with the Bulls,” Reese said. “I’ve talked to him, Donta, Eric, all those guys. I’ve seen Fatts … it’s a whole bunch of different points of view from it, different perspectives.
“I’m just grateful for that and having those vets to teach me things like that. ‘Mir being the one … [taking] the route I would want to go, just making it on the team. He’s basically telling me, ‘Stay down, just grind and everything will be good.'”
To hear more from Reese, listen to the full interview here:
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