Julian Reese signs with Los Angeles Lakers as an undrafted free agent

Reese joins a Lakers squad in need of a starting big man.

Former Maryland men’s basketball star Julian Reese has signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as an undrafted free agent, his agency ADS Sports Management announced on social media Friday.

Reese was the Terps’ steadiest presence throughout an up-and-down four years in College Park. The 6-foot-9 big man played in all but two games during his collegiate career, good for 134 appearances and 102 starts. He’s second in program history in career rebounds, and is one of just two Terps ever alongside Len Elmore with over 1,000 career points and 1,000 career assists.

Reese averaged over 13 points per game and at least nine rebounds per game in each of his last two seasons at Maryland. He was also a reliable contributor in his two March Madness appearances, averaging 15.2 points and eight rebounds per contest in five games.

The brother of Chicago Sky star Angel Reese now takes his talents to Los Angeles this offseason, where he’ll have the chance to learn under LeBron James, Luka Doncic and JJ Reddick.

The Lakers are notably in need of a starting big man, and Reese now has a chance to impress early. Standout Lakers guard Austin Reaves also signed with the team as an undrafted free agent after a prolific college career, and played 61 games as a rookie in 2021.