Julian Reese Returns to DMV With Washington Wizards

Maryland star Julian Reese is back in the DMV after inking a two-way NBA contract with the Washington Wizards late last week. After spending time in the G League with the Toronto Raptors organization, Reese returns home to continue his professional basketball career. 

“Being able to stay in the DMV means a lot,” Reese said. “After being able to play four years in college here, being able to keep playing in front of my family means a lot. My mom doesn’t have to travel too far to watch me play, and that’s really the biggest thing.”

A Baltimore native, Reese was a key component of Maryland’s men’s basketball program, playing in 134 games across four seasons in College Park and setting him up for a professional career. The second pen hit paper with the Wizards, Reese got one step closer to fulfilling a lifelong dream: playing in the NBA. 

“Signing that contract felt great,” Reese said. “It was crazy. My agent called me and told me the Wizards wanted to give me an opportunity, and it was this great, happy feeling. It still kinda doesn’t feel real. I’m so grateful and ready to maximize my opportunities.”

Reese is playing with the Capital City Go-Go, Washington’s G League team as he awaits the call up to join a young Wizards core. Former teammate and Maryland guard Eric Ayala also signed a recent deal with the Go-Go, reuniting two friends back home in the DMV.

“That’s my guy,” Reese said. “I talked to him a bit before the news went public, and we were both really excited. I’m really pumped for him.”

Across his four seasons at Maryland, Reese scored 1,488 points — including 15 in the Terps’ thrilling win over Colorado State in the 2025 NCAA Tournament — and grabbed 1,014 rebounds, putting him second all-time in program history. He’s thankful to be continuing his basketball journey near a place that means so much to him and he credits for his successes.

“It definitely molded me,” Reese said. “My time in my freshman year really taught me how to maximize the minutes I get in the G League. I’m excited to get to play for the Wizards, and I’m so grateful they saw my potential.” 

For Reese, the journey to the NBA didn’t take him far from home — it brought him right back to it.