Former Maryland standout Julian Reese is getting his NBA opportunity, and he’s getting it in a familiar area. The Washington Wizards signed Reese to a two-way contract on Saturday, giving the former Terp a chance to split time between Washington and its G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go. The move brings Reese close to home while continuing Maryland’s recent run of players reaching the NBA.
Reese earned the promotion with his strong recent play, including a 10-game span during which he produced 11.3 points and 8.2 rebounds in 21.6 minutes per game.
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After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, Reese began his professional journey in the NBA Summer League with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he looked to showcase the rebounding and defensive ability that defined his college career. He later signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Toronto Raptors’ G League affiliate, Raptors 905, where he spent the majority of the season continuing to develop his game.
In 39 appearances with Raptors 905 this season, Reese averaged 7.8 points and 7.0 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per game, providing steady production and interior toughness off the bench. His rebounding instincts and physical style helped him carve out a role and ultimately earn another NBA opportunity.
Reese’s promotion to a two-way contract now places him in position to make his NBA debut with the Wizards while continuing to log developmental minutes in the G League. When he suits up for the Capital City Go-Go, he’ll also reunite with a familiar face – former Maryland teammate Eric Ayala, who is currently on the roster.
Once Reese makes his debut, he will become the sixth active former Maryland player in the NBA, another milestone for a program that has increasingly produced professional talent in recent years. For Reese, the signing represents the next step in a journey that began with a decorated career in College Park and now continues just down the road in D.C.
Via a Maryland basketball press release:
“The 6-foot-9 forward concluded a standout, four-year career for the Terps in 2024-25 where he helped Maryland reach the NCAA Sweet 16 and finish ranked No. 9 nationally in the final AP Poll. The Baltimore native finished his career as a Terp playing in 134 games with 102 starts. The power forward scored 1,488 career points to go with 1,015 rebounds making him one of just two players in program history, alongside Len Elmore, to post 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.
He ranks 20th all-time in career scoring and is second all-time for rebounds. Reese also finished with 179 career blocks which ranks eighth, 133 assists and 113 steals. His career shooting percentage of .557 ranks seventh all-time. Additionally, his 37 career double doubles are the fifth most in program history. His 325 rebounds this past season are the ninth most for a single-year at Maryland.
Last season, Reese helped Maryland reach the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time since 2016. He averaged 13.3 points and 9.0 rebounds after starting all 36 games of the season. Maryland finished the year with a 27-9 overall record and a second-place finish in the Big Ten. He was also named to the All-Star Team of the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament.
Reese was a three-time All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection during his career. Only Melo Trimble and Anthony Cowan earned all-conference honors three times during a career in the Big Ten era for Maryland. Overall, he was the 16th Terp in program history to earn all-conference honors three times during a career.”
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