Rookie Reese Joins Elite Company

The historic performance for the Washington Wizards rookie came against the Utah Jazz in just his third game in the NBA. Reese finished the contest with an impressive stat line of 18 points, 20 rebounds, and 3 assists. His efficiency was also noteworthy, as he shot 5-of-7 from the field and a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line. Of his 20 rebounds, a remarkable 10 were on the offensive glass, setting a single-game franchise rookie record for the Wizards. The last Wizards rookie to grab 20 or more rebounds in a game was Tom Gugliotta back in 1993. Furthermore, Reese became the first Wizards player to record 10 offensive and 10 defensive rebounds in the same game since Antawn Jamison in 2010. An undrafted player out of the University of Maryland, Reese was signed to a two-way contract by the Wizards to add depth to their injury-plagued roster. During his final two seasons at Maryland, he consistently neared a double-double average, showcasing the rebounding skill that has now translated to the professional level. The feat places Reese in a category with Hall of Fame big men Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan as the only players in the last 40 years to achieve a 20-rebound game within their first five career games. O'Neal's rookie season in 1992-93 saw him average 23.4 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game on his way to being named Rookie of the Year. Duncan, the top pick in the 1997 draft, also won Rookie of the Year, averaging 21.1 points and 11.9 rebounds. Reese's breakout performance is also a family affair. His sister is Chicago Sky star Angel Reese, a dominant rebounder in her own right in the WNBA. In 2024, Angel Reese had a game with 19 points and 20 rebounds, making them the last brother-sister duo to accomplish such a feat in the NBA and WNBA.