Blood Couldn’t Make ’Em Closer: Jalen Green & AJ Johnson’s Brotherhood Runs Deep
Jalen Green has taken AJ Johnson under his wing as his little brother, but they are not actually related. Despite this, their bond has been strong for years.
By D.M.May 2 2025, Updated 10:09 p.m. ET
The Breakdown: Jalen Green does not have a biological brother, but AJ Johnson has become his lil bro overtime. The athletes have a strong bond, and were even trained by the same coach.
Since joining the NBA, Jalen Green has become a big brother to younger ballers in the business. While the Houston Rockets guard continues making noise in the NBA with his explosive scoring and high-flying dunks, fans are starting to wonder about the young athlete Jalen refers to as his brother.
Jalen made waves in 2021 as the No. 2 overall pick, becoming the first player to go pro via the NBA G League Ignite pathway. Since then, he’s evolved from a raw scorer into a playoff performer. In a pivotal Game 2 against the Golden State Warriors this postseason, Jalen dropped 38 points and tied a franchise record with eight threes, helping the Rockets even the series.
His growth hasn’t gone unnoticed. In October 2024, Houston locked him in with a three-year, $106 million extension — the first of its kind for a player from his draft class.
Additionally, Jalen’s roots are as diverse as his game. His family has played a notable role in shaping his future, while Jalen is helping to champion the dreams of another young athlete. AJ Johnson has become close with the Rockets player, and they have built a strong bond.
Jalen Green does not have a brother, but he’s AJ Johnson’s “big bro.”
Since rising to NBA glory, Jalen has taken AJ under his wing. Their story began in Fresno, California, where both honed their skills under the guidance of coach Mike Hill. AJ, inspired by Jalen’s journey, often refers to him as his "big brother" and mentor.
“He’s like my big brother. I’ve known him since I was nine years old,” AJ told Texas Rivals. “We’ve been best friends, and I’ve always looked up to him. We’re not blood, but we’re from a small town near Fresno where everyone knows each other. We call each other 'brother.' We’re family. Blood couldn’t make us any closer.”
AJ has become an NBA star in his own right. After opting to skip college, AJ signed with the Illawarra Hawks of Australia's National Basketball League (NBL) in April 2023.
Participating in the NBL's Next Stars program, he averaged 2.9 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.7 assists over 26 games, according to Wiz of Awes. In the 2024 NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks selected AJ with the 23rd overall pick. He made his NBA debut in October 2024, against the Philadelphia 76ers. In February, AJ was traded to the Washington Wizards as part of a four-team deal. In his first career start, AJ contributed eight points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
Jalen Green’s mom is his rock.
Jalen didn’t just wake up one day with a nasty crossover and a smooth jump shot — he had a mama and a stepdad who made sure he stayed locked in from day one. His mother, Bree Purganan, is a registered nurse. Bree raised Jalen in Fresno and held the house down as a single mom before she met Marcus Green, Jalen’s stepfather.
A former hooper himself, Marcus brought that basketball IQ into the household and pushed Jalen to think like a pro even before he got to the league. Together, Bree and Marcus created a foundation that helped catapult Jalen’s career.
