Bree Purganan is known mostly because of her son, Jalen Green. He plays for the Houston Rockets and is one of the rising names in the NBA. But Bree’s story didn’t start with basketball. And it’s not just about raising a future professional athlete. She has a full life of her own. She’s a registered nurse, a Filipino-American, a former college basketball player, and a mom who spent years shaping her son’s mindset.
Table of Contents
Let’s talk about who she is, where she comes from, what she’s done, and why she matters.
Early Life and Background
Bree was born in Ilocos Sur, a province in the Philippines. She’s Filipino through and through on her mother’s side. She moved to the U.S. as a young adult and eventually made her life in California.
Her family wasn’t involved in fame or sports. Her mother, Julia Durbin, worked as a teacher. Bree was raised alongside her siblings, including her sister Kristie and her brother Josh Bass. They weren’t wealthy. She didn’t grow up with a lot of access or privilege. But sports were part of her early life. Basketball, especially.
Education and Career
She studied at Merced College in California. Not a huge-name school. But for her, it was enough. She trained as a nurse, and she also played basketball there. Bree wasn’t just in the stands—she was on the court herself. That connection to sports probably helped shape how she supported Jalen later.
After college, she worked as a registered nurse. That’s still her main profession. It’s a career that requires a ton of discipline, long hours, and being calm in stressful situations. That kind of mindset matters when raising a kid trying to make it in elite sports.
She also took the initiative to start something called Bree’s Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. It shows she’s not just about family or work. She’s also trying to give back. She doesn’t advertise this loudly, but it’s a real part of her story.
Her Role as a Mother
Bree has three children. Jalen is the middle one. There’s an older daughter named Raquel, and a younger daughter, Jurnee, born in 2011.
She’s married to Marcus Green, who became Jalen’s stepfather early in his life. Marcus also has a basketball background. That helped. But Bree was the one who did most of the shaping. She was Jalen’s first coach. Literally. He was 4 or 5 years old, and they were playing outside. She was the one guarding him. She told him how to dribble. How to defend. She corrected him. And she didn’t go easy.
By the time he was in 9th grade, he’d already played a lot of backyard games with her. And they weren’t soft. She wanted him to be ready, mentally and physically. She didn’t force him into basketball. But once he showed interest, she was all-in. Supportive. But not a pushover.
Personality and Parenting Style
She’s quiet in public. Not flashy. She doesn’t seek the spotlight. But Bree is extremely present. She shows up to games. She was there at Jalen’s draft. She’s seen courtside. When the Rockets had Filipino Heritage Night, she was there, too.
What’s noticeable is how grounded she is. No theatrics. No dramatic interviews. She gives advice, listens, and stays close to family. That low-key, solid energy is something Jalen has mentioned in interviews. He says he gets his work ethic and mindset from her.
One quote stands out:
“I got my work ethic from her, my mindset from her. Since a young age, I felt like winning was everything.”
That kind of thinking doesn’t come from YouTube videos or motivational speeches. It comes from home.
Cultural Identity
Bree’s Filipino heritage isn’t just a footnote. It matters. And she makes sure it’s part of her children’s lives. Jalen himself has been open about this. He visited the Philippines in 2022 and connected with his roots. He’s even embraced the Filipino fanbase that supports him worldwide.
Bree helped keep that cultural link alive. It’s clear she didn’t let her kids forget where part of their identity came from. That matters a lot in a world where kids with dual backgrounds can easily lose touch with one half.
Online Presence
She’s not very active online, at least not publicly. There’s a Pinterest account under her name, and a few scattered mentions across blogs and sports sites. But you won’t find her making a big deal of herself.
That’s intentional. Bree prefers to keep the focus on her kids. When she does appear, it’s usually through interviews or media events related to Jalen. She’s not trying to be an influencer or spokesperson. She doesn’t act like a “basketball mom” trying to cash in on her son’s fame.
That’s rare.
What Makes Her Different
A lot of parents push their kids in sports. Some overdo it. Others back off too much. Bree found a middle ground. She didn’t just encourage Jalen—she challenged him. Played defense. Taught him to lose and try again. It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t about creating a star. It was about raising a disciplined kid with focus.
She worked full-time as a nurse while doing this. She didn’t quit her job to manage her son’s career. She balanced both.
Even now, she still works. She doesn’t travel with Jalen full-time. She gives him space. She trusts him. And he still looks to her for advice.
Why She Matters
Bree Purganan isn’t famous in the usual way. No TV shows. No interviews with celebrity magazines. But she’s had a clear impact. Without her, Jalen Green probably isn’t who he is today. Not just in basketball, but in mindset.
She shows that being present, consistent, and supportive—even in simple, quiet ways—can shape a child in big ways. Not every parent gets that right.
She’s not perfect. No one is. But she made choices that helped create the foundation for her son’s career.
FAQs
Is Bree Purganan Filipino?
Yes. She was born in Ilocos Sur, Philippines, and is Filipino-American.
What does Bree Purganan do for a living?
She’s a registered nurse based in California.
How many children does she have?
Three: Raquel (daughter), Jalen (NBA player), and Jurnee (youngest daughter).
Was she involved in sports?
Yes. She played basketball at Merced College and helped train Jalen in his early years.
Is she married?
Yes. Her husband is Marcus Green, who became Jalen Green’s stepfather.
Conclusion
Bree Purganan doesn’t talk much publicly. But her actions are pretty clear. She raised her kids with structure, support, and high expectations. She worked hard—first in school, then in her nursing job—and kept her kids grounded.
She’s one of those parents who plays a huge role behind the scenes. The kind who doesn’t get headlines but makes a big difference. Her influence is visible in how her son plays, how he talks, and how he carries himself.
You don’t need to be loud to be important. You just need to be there. Bree was. And still is.
—Written by James Taylor
