You know what they say about successful athletes – there’s always someone special cheering them on from the sidelines. For Houston Rockets’ rising star Jalen Green, that someone is his incredible mother, Bree Purganan. While basketball fans watch Jalen light up the scoreboard with his 21.6 points per game this season, there’s a fascinating story unfolding behind the scenes. It’s the story of a Filipino immigrant who built an amazing life in America, raised three kids, and somehow found time to change lives through her work as a nurse and community advocate.
Who is Bree Purganan? Early Life and Background
Picture this: a young woman from a small Filipino province, dreaming of a better life across the Pacific. That’s exactly how Bree Purganan’s American journey started. Born in Ilocos Sur, Philippines, she grew up in a tight-knit family with her siblings Kristie and Josh. Her mom, Julia Durbin, was a teacher who instilled the value of education early on. When Julia remarried Bob Durbin in 1995, Bree gained not just a stepfather, but another role model who showed her what dedication looked like.
Making the leap from the Philippines to California wasn’t easy. Like countless Filipino families before them, the Purganans packed their hopes and dreams into suitcases, trading familiar surroundings for the promise of opportunity. They eventually made their home in various California cities – Merced, Livingston, and Fresno – each move teaching Bree valuable lessons about adaptability and resilience that she’d later pass on to her own children.
Professional Career: From Nurse to Entrepreneur
Here’s something that might surprise you: Bree Purganan almost became a basketball player herself. At just 5’5″, she wasn’t exactly built for the sport, but that didn’t stop her from hitting the courts at Merced College while pursuing her nursing degree. Talk about determination! That brief stint playing basketball turned out to be more valuable than she could have imagined – it gave her firsthand understanding of what her son would face years later.
These days, you’ll find Bree working as a Licensed Vocational Nurse specializing in mental health services. It’s demanding work that requires both technical skills and a huge heart – qualities Bree has in abundance. Her LinkedIn profile tells the story of someone who chose a career path focused on helping people during their most vulnerable moments.
But Bree didn’t stop at nursing. She’s also ventured into entrepreneurship, proving that immigrant mothers can absolutely have it all. Balancing a healthcare career with business ventures while raising three kids? That’s the kind of multitasking that would make anyone’s head spin, but Bree makes it look effortless.
Philanthropic Work and Community Impact
If you think Bree’s plate was already full, think again. She somehow found time to start Bree’s Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, because apparently saving lives at work wasn’t enough – she wanted to save lives in her spare time too. The foundation focuses on raising awareness and funding for breast cancer research, turning her medical knowledge into a force for good beyond the hospital walls.
What’s really touching about Bree’s charitable work is how personal it feels. She’s not just writing checks or showing up to galas (though those matter too). She’s actively involved in community initiatives that support families dealing with health crises. It’s the kind of hands-on approach that shows her kids what real leadership looks like.
Family Life and Motherhood
Now let’s talk about the heart of Bree’s world – her family. She’s got three amazing kids who couldn’t be more different from each other. There’s Raquel, the eldest, who’s settled down with her husband Steve Tucker. Then there’s Jalen, the middle child who happened to become an NBA superstar (no big deal, right?). And finally, there’s little Jurnee Tyra, born in 2011, who’s already showing signs that basketball might run in the family.
The family dynamic got even stronger when Bree married Marcus Green, a former basketball player who stepped into the stepfather role like he was born for it. Marcus brought his own basketball expertise to the table, but more importantly, he brought love and stability. Together, Bree and Marcus created the kind of home where kids could dream big and actually have the support to make those dreams come true.
The Making of an NBA Star: Bree’s Role in Jalen’s Success
Here’s where things get really interesting. Ask Jalen Green about his success, and he’ll tell you straight up – it all comes back to his mom. “I got my work ethic from my mom, my mindset from her,” he’s said in interviews. “She used to tell me to go get it, and that is what I did.” Simple words, but they pack a punch.
From those early days when Jalen was just another kid with basketball dreams to that incredible moment when he was picked second overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, Bree was right there. Not just cheering from the sidelines, but actively shaping the young man who would eventually light up NBA arenas.
What sets Bree apart as a sports mom is her focus on mental toughness. She didn’t just teach Jalen how to handle success – she prepared him for failure too. Her philosophy was simple: stay humble when you’re winning, stay focused when you’re losing, and never forget that challenges are just opportunities in disguise. That calm, steady presence became Jalen’s secret weapon for handling everything from trash talk on the court to media pressure off it.
Filipino Heritage and Cultural Pride
One thing that makes Bree Purganan special is how she’s kept her Filipino heart beating strong, even after decades in America. She made sure her kids knew where they came from, and boy, did that pay off. Jalen Green isn’t just another NBA player – he’s one of only three Filipino-heritage players in league history, joining Raymond Townsend and Jordan Clarkson in that exclusive club.
When Jalen visited Manila in 2022 as an Adidas global brand ambassador, you could see the pride radiating from both mother and son. “I’m always excited to represent the Philippines,” Jalen said, and you know that enthusiasm came straight from his mom’s kitchen table conversations about family history and cultural pride.
Life Lessons and Parenting Philosophy
Bree’s parenting style isn’t complicated, but it’s incredibly effective. She believes in teaching kids that life will knock you down sometimes, and that’s perfectly okay – as long as you get back up. Whether Jalen was celebrating a big win or dealing with a tough loss, Bree’s message stayed consistent: learn something from every experience, stay grateful for your opportunities, and never forget that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.
This balanced approach created a young man who can drop 30 points in an NBA game and still remember to call his mom afterward. That’s the kind of grounding that money can’t buy and fame can’t shake.
Conclusion
So there you have it – the story of Bree Purganan, the Filipino nurse who raised an NBA star while somehow finding time to save lives and change communities. From a small province in the Philippines to the bright lights of NBA arenas, her journey proves that the American dream is alive and well, especially when it’s powered by a mother’s love and an immigrant’s determination.
As Jalen continues putting up impressive numbers (21+ points per game and counting), representing Filipino pride on basketball’s biggest stage, you can bet Bree’s influence shows up in every game he plays. Her legacy isn’t just about raising a famous athlete – it’s about showing the world what’s possible when you combine hard work, cultural pride, and an unshakeable belief in your family’s potential.
In a world that often overlooks the people behind the success stories, Bree Purganan reminds us that every superstar needs a superhero at home. And sometimes, that superhero wears scrubs to work and runs a cancer research foundation in her spare time.
