Wizards Rookie Julian Reese Joins Shaquille O'Neal in NBA Record Books

Julian Reese's historic rebounding start has his sister Angel Reese celebrating.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:21pm

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A cubist-style painting featuring fragmented, overlapping geometric shapes in shades of orange, blue, and green, conceptually representing the energy and athleticism of a basketball game.The Reese siblings' shared passion for basketball is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration that deconstructs the sport's dynamic movements.Chicago Today

Washington Wizards rookie forward Julian Reese has made a strong start to his NBA career, establishing himself as one of the league's top young rebounders. Reese joined NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal as the only rookies in league history to record at least four games with 15 or more rebounds in their first 11 games. Reese's historic accomplishment prompted a celebratory tweet from his sister, WNBA star Angel Reese.

Why it matters

The Reese siblings come from an athletic family, with both Julian and Angel emerging as rising stars in the NBA and WNBA respectively. Julian's record-setting rebounding performance highlights his potential as a dominant big man in the league, while also showcasing the family's basketball pedigree.

The details

In his first 11 NBA games, Julian Reese has logged double-digit rebounds in six contests, including a career-high 20 rebounds in just his third career game. He's also recorded five double-doubles, including a 16-point, 15-rebound effort against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. Reese's historic accomplishment of joining Shaquille O'Neal as the only rookies to record at least four games with 15 or more rebounds in their first 11 games underscores his elite rebounding ability.

  • Julian Reese made his NBA debut against the Houston Rockets on March 2, 2026.
  • On Thursday, April 10, 2026, Reese recorded 16 points and 15 rebounds against the Chicago Bulls.

The players

Julian Reese

A rookie forward for the Washington Wizards who has established himself as one of the NBA's top young rebounders, joining Shaquille O'Neal as the only rookies to record at least four games with 15 or more rebounds in their first 11 games.

Angel Reese

Julian's sister, who is a star forward in the WNBA and has been traded from the Chicago Sky to the Atlanta Dream. Angel is also a Victoria's Secret model and has graced the covers of several magazines.

Shaquille O'Neal

An NBA legend who is the only other rookie in league history to record at least four games with 15 or more rebounds in their first 11 games, a feat Julian Reese has now matched.

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What they’re saying

“I'm so proud of my brother man!🥺”

— Angel Reese, WNBA Star

What’s next

Julian Reese will look to continue his historic rebounding pace as he aims to solidify his status as one of the NBA's top young big men. The Wizards will hope Reese's dominant play can help them make a push for the playoffs in the second half of the season.

The takeaway

The Reese family's basketball pedigree is on full display, with both Julian and Angel emerging as rising stars in the NBA and WNBA. Julian's record-setting rebounding performance highlights his potential to become a dominant force in the league, while also showcasing the family's shared passion and talent for the sport.