When it comes to NBA success stories, fans often focus on the players—their stats, their highlights, and their big moments on the court. But behind every rising star, there’s often a driving force, someone who quietly shapes their journey.
For Jalen Green, now making headlines with the Phoenix Suns after a breakout start with the Houston Rockets, that person is Bree Purganan. More than just “Jalen Green’s mom,” She is a Filipina-American nurse, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the backbone of her family’s success.
Early Life: From Ilocos Sur to California
Bree Purganan’s journey begins in Ilocos Sur, Philippines. Growing up with two siblings, Kriste Canon and Josh Bass, in a tight-knit family, she was raised by her mother, Julia Durbin, a teacher who would later remarry Bob Durbin in 1995. Her father’s identity remains private, but her upbringing was marked by strong female influences.
Athletics were a big part of early life. She played basketball, soccer, and cross-country—sports that planted the seeds for the mindset and discipline she would later pass to her children.
Eventually, Bree and her family made the move to California. There, she put down new roots and eventually earned a nursing degree from Merced College—a testament to her determination and work ethic.
Source: https://web.poughkeepsieschools.org/
Professional Life: Nurse, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist
Bree Purganan isn’t just a supportive parent—she’s a powerhouse in her own right. Settling in California, built a career as a registered nurse. Her drive to help others didn’t stop there.
Drawing from personal experience and a passion for advocacy, she founded Bree’s Organisation for Breast Cancer Research. Through this nonprofit, she’s launched awareness campaigns and fundraising initiatives to support breast cancer patients and research.
According to data from the American Cancer Society, breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers in women, with over 297,000 new cases estimated in the U.S. for 2023 alone. The need for advocacy and support is real, and work is making a difference.
Family and Personal Life
Bree Purganan is married to Marcus Green, a former high school basketball player who played alongside notable NBA talents like DeShawn Stevenson. Marcus is Jalen’s stepfather, but he’s played a crucial role in Jalen’s life since his early years, taking him to basketball camps, instilling discipline, and even buying him his first pair of Jordans after a memorable backyard dunk.
Jalen’s biological father, Enoch, is of African-American descent, giving Jalen a rich multicultural heritage. But it’s her and Marcus who have been the constants, guiding and supporting Jalen’s journey from Merced, California, to the national stage.
The family includes three children:
- Raquel Purganan: The eldest, married to Steve Tucker and living in Fresno, California.
- Jalen Green: The NBA star, born February 9, 2002, in Merced, California.
- Jurnee Tyra: The youngest, born in 2011, who shares her big brother’s passion for basketball.
Bree Purganan never let her kids forget their roots. Jalen Green is now only the third player with Filipino heritage to play in the NBA, joining the likes of Raymond Townsend and Jordan Clarkson.
She’s pride in her heritage is infectious and has inspired Jalen to embrace his identity on a global stage. When Jalen toured Manila as an ambassador for Adidas in 2022, it was a full-circle moment for their family—a testament to the cultural bridge that was built.
Bree’s Impact on Jalen Green’s Basketball Career
Shaping Mental Toughness and Work Ethic
Ask Jalen Green where his tenacity comes from, and he’ll point straight to his mom. In a 2022 interview with sports journalist Chino Trinidad, Jalen shared, “I got my work ethic from (my mom), my mindset from her. She used to tell me to go get it, and that is what I did…Since a young age, I felt like winning was everything.”
Bree Purganan was Jalen’s first “lockdown defender,” pushing him to focus on defense in their driveway and setting the tone for the grit he’s now famous for on the court. She didn’t just support his dreams—she coached, challenged, and believed in him, even when the odds were stacked high.
Supporting Through Adversity
Raising a future NBA star isn’t all highlight reels and awards. Bree Purganan navigated the challenges of being an immigrant, working long hours as a nurse, and raising three kids.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 23% of the California population is foreign-born, and many families face unique hurdles as they build new lives. Her journey is a classic story of perseverance, community, and never losing sight of family values.
Marcus Green, Jalen’s stepdad, recalls in a 2018 Bleacher Report interview that Jalen’s success wasn’t handed to him: “He works for everything. There was nothing really handed to him.” That work ethic, instilled by Bree, is clear every time Jalen steps on the court.
Welcome to the world of Chef Gary! Meet Chef Gary, a culinary maestro whose journey from Indonesia to the United States has been nothing short of extraordinary. Immigrating in the early 2000s, Chef Gary began his culinary career as a Sushi Chef at renowned establishments such as Japonais Restaurant in Chicago, followed by stints at Benihana and Ginza in Indiana.
With a passion for perfection and a dedication to his craft, Chef Gary’s career blossomed as he made his mark in the Sunshine State, serving as the Head Sushi Chef at Modern Asian restaurants in Palm Beach. However, his two-year sojourn in New Delhi, India, shaped his culinary prowess, propelling him to the prestigious role of Executive Chef at Nehru Place – Benihana.