Among the giants, however, is the Washington Wizards’ 6-foot-9 center Julian “JuJu” Reese.
Advertisement
The undrafted rookie’s NBA career is about as young as it gets. After starting the season with the Raptors 905, Toronto’s G-League affiliate, Reese signed a two-way contract with the Washington Wizards in February. Just seven games later, he replaced the injured Alex Sarr and caught the eye.
Prior to the league, Reese was a staple of the Maryland Terrapins, playing four seasons and 134 games. Now, in the NBA, he is showing that production in the paint is not dictated by height alone.
Reese’s brief stint as a magician
This year, Reese is averaging 11.4 points and 11 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 58.1% from the field. But what really stands out is his progression game by game.
Advertisement
His first NBA game was a typical, quiet debut. Called up from the minor leagues, Reese replaced the Washington team in a loss against the Houston Rockets. He had two points and four rebounds.
From then on it didn’t take him long to feel comfortable.
Just one day later, Reese quadrupled his scoring output, posting nine points and eight rebounds against the Orlando Magic.
But it was in his third match in the partnership where he really came out of his shell.
Against the Utah Jazz, Reese recorded his first double-double with 18 points and a monster 20 rebounds, including 10 on the offensive glass. That’s good for the most rebounds in a game by a rookie this season.
Advertisement
The standout performance was so strong that it made franchise history: the most offensive rebounds in a game ever by a Wizards rookie.
He also joined an elite company.
Even after making history, Reese had yet to deliver his masterpiece. That happened in Washington’s next matchup against the Utah Jazz.
In the winning effort, he totaled 26 points and a career-high 17 rebounds, missing just four shots. He also worked on defense, making two steals and a combined block.
In leading the Wizards to their first victory since February, Reese joined Don Barksdale and Austin Reaves as the only undrafted rookies with at least 25 points and 15 rebounds in a game.
Advertisement
The history-making part is impressive. But most importantly, he capped off a performance that validated his place in the league.
Heart above height
Playing in the paint, a below-average frame doesn’t get centers very far. What takes them far is courage, energy and enthusiasm. That’s exactly what Reese shows and it’s what generates these high numbers.
He showed that effort in his 26-point outburst.
Take this work, for example. As Sharife Cooper approaches the rim and attempts a layup, two Jazz defenders are already surrounding Reese. After Cooper’s shot is blocked, Reese breaks free fending off Cody Williams to his right. Offering more resistance is John Konchar to his left, whom he dominates with his strength and eye for the ball.
Advertisement
The work ethic is also evident in the older defenders.
In his first double-digit scoring game, he racked up 10 offensive rebounds while handling seven-foot Mo Bamba and 6-foot-11 Kyle Filipowski. For his tenth point of the matchup, he finds Filipowski as soon as the ball leaves Will Riley’s hands, seals it and ducks to move it out of the way before returning it.
Reese himself attributes that advantage to more than just physical tools. He told The Lead’s Jarrett Spence that rebounding is both a physical and mental skill.
“It takes a lot of heart to do it,” Reese said. “He comes with a lot of experience in knowing where the ball comes out of the rim, knowing where guys are going to shoot… a lot of technique that comes with that.”
And his scoring isn’t limited to hustle plays. Reese has shown aggressive footwork in isolation.
Advertisement
Here, he takes on Elijah Harkless and manhandles him with two hard punches before scoring two. He has also used a soft touch with other post moves.
The rookie is playing like a giant in the body of a 6-foot-9 center. With the way he’s performing, his energy could earn him an official roster spot, adding to the Washington Wizards’ young core.
The post Julian “JuJu” Reese Proves Size Isn’t Everything in Downtown appeared first on The Lead.