Picture this: you’re working the night shift as a corrections officer, barely getting any sleep, but when morning comes, you’re driving your kid three hours to basketball practice.
That’s exactly what Bree Purganan did for years to help her son Jalen Green reach the NBA.
She’d sleep in the car between games just to make sure her boy had every chance to chase his dreams.
Bree Purganan Bio/Wiki
| Facts | Details |
| Full Name | Bree Purganan |
| Nationality | Filipina-American |
| Birthplace | Ilocos Sur, Philippines |
| Height | 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m) |
| Weight | 60 kg (132 lbs) |
| Profession | Licensed Vocational Nurse, Corrections Officer |
| Education | Merced College (Nursing Degree, College Basketball) |
| Spouse | Marcus Green |
| Children | Raquel Purganan, Jalen Green, Jurnee Tyra |
| Notable Achievement | Mother of NBA player Jalen Green (Phoenix Suns) |
| Foundation | Bree’s Foundation for Breast Cancer Research |
Bree Purganan Early Life and Background
Bree Purganan grew up in Ilocos Sur, Philippines, in a typical Filipino family where hard work wasn’t just expected – it was survival.
Her mom Julia Durbin was a teacher, and the family included her siblings Kristie Purganan Canon and Josh Bass.
Life changed in 1995 when her mother married Bob Durbin, giving Bree a stepfather who’d become part of their tight-knit family.
Even back then, Bree wasn’t the type to sit around. She was always moving – playing basketball, running cross-country, and kicking soccer balls around.
The Filipino values of family first, work hard, and never give up were drilled into her from day one.
That competitive fire she developed? She’d pass it down to her future NBA star son.
Immigration Journey and Settlement
Making the move from the Philippines to California wasn’t just a change of address – it was a complete life reset for the Purganan family.
Like so many Filipino-American families, they came chasing better opportunities, but that meant starting from scratch in a whole new country.
California became their new home, but Bree never forgot where she came from. She made sure Filipino heritage stayed alive in their household.
The family moved around California quite a bit – living in Merced, Livingston, and Fresno at different times. (Editorialge)
That immigrant hustle mentality became part of everything Bree did, shaping how she’d later support Jalen’s dreams.
Bree was living in Merced, California when she welcomed Jalen Green on February 9, 2002.
Educational and Athletic Foundation
Merced College is where Bree really found her groove, balancing nursing studies with her passion for basketball.
This woman could play – her teammates called her a “defensive terror” because she’d lock down anyone who tried to score on her.
While studying for her nursing degree, she was out there playing that tough lockdown defender style that she’d later teach Jalen.
Those defensive basketball skills she developed weren’t just for show – she’d spend hours in the backyard later on, teaching her son the same fundamentals.
Her athletic development at college taught her what real dedication looked like – you can’t just show up and expect to win.
The discipline she learned from college basketball at Merced College would become the foundation for how she approached raising future athletes.
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Bree Purganan Professional Healthcare Career
After college, Bree became a licensed vocational nurse specializing in mental health at Madera Community Hospital.
Working in the mental health department meant dealing with people at their most vulnerable moments, which taught her patience and understanding.
Being a healthcare worker is tough enough, but Bree also pulled those brutal night shift work hours as a corrections officer.
The medical professional training helped her understand the physical demands Jalen would face as an athlete.
Her corrections officer experience taught her mental toughness that she’d need during Jalen’s journey to the NBA.
That combination of healthcare career knowledge and street-smart grit made her perfect for guiding a future professional athlete.
Bree Purganan Marriage and Family Structure
When Bree married Marcus Green, she got a basketball partner who understood the game inside and out.
Marcus Green had played alongside DeShawn Stevenson in high school, so he knew what it took to compete at high levels.
Marcus became Jalen’s stepfather and treated him like his own son from day one.
In that 2018 Bleacher Report interview, Marcus shut down anyone saying Jalen was living some glamorous lifestyle: “He’s not living large. It’s not the worst, but it ain’t the best.”
Their family support system was built on honesty, hard work, and never letting success go to anyone’s head.
The blended family dynamic worked because both parents were committed to supporting their kids’ dreams, no matter what it took.
Children and Family Dynamics
Bree raised three kids, with Jalen Green right in the middle as the one who’d eventually make it to the Phoenix Suns.
Raquel Purganan, the oldest, is married to Steve Tucker, while Jurnee Tyra was born in February 2011 and is already showing basketball skills. (SportsKeeda)
The family lived in a three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment during Jalen’s high school years, along with their dog Twilight – nothing fancy.
Jalen being the middle child meant he had to fight for attention, but in a good way – it made him hungrier and more competitive.
The family values Bree instilled were simple: work hard, stay humble, and always remember where you came from.
Jurnee, being the baby of the family, gets to learn from watching her big brother’s NBA journey.
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Cultural Heritage and Filipino Identity
Bree’s Filipino heritage isn’t just something she talks about – it’s woven into everything she does as a mother.
When Jalen Green visited Manila in 2022 for his Adidas partnership, Bree couldn’t have been prouder.
“It makes me feel proud for him to carry on and recognize where he comes from, his heritage. My grandfather is from here,” she said during that trip.
Jalen became the third NBA player with Filipino roots, joining Jordan Clarkson and Raymond Townsend.
That cultural identity gives Jalen something special to play for – he’s representing an entire Filipino-American community.
Bree taught him that being Filipino-American means carrying the hopes of two worlds on your shoulders with pride.
Bree Purganan Role in Jalen’s Basketball Development
When it came to Jalen’s basketball training, Bree wasn’t just the mom driving to practice – she was his first coach and toughest critic.
Those backyard training sessions weren’t fun and games – Bree would make Jalen work on his footwork until his legs felt like jelly.
“I got my work ethic from my mom, my mindset from her,” Jalen told Chino Trinidad in 2022.
Bree was always “on him about sliding his feet” – teaching him the fundamentals that would help him guard NBA players.
She’d tell him “go get it” before every game, and that simple phrase became his personal mantra.
When Jalen dealt with pregame anxiety (“bubble guts”), Bree would say: “If you nervous, that means you ready!”
Bree Purganan Personal Sacrifices and Dedication
The night shift schedule as a corrections officer meant Bree was working while most people were sleeping, then being a full-time basketball mom during the day.
Those 2.5-hour drives to Oakland for Jalen’s training with Brandon Payne (who also trains Stephen Curry) happened twice a week.
While other parents were home relaxing, Bree was sleeping in the car between games, catching whatever rest she could.
“My mom worked a night shift as a corrections officer, bro. That’s a hell of a shift she was putting in,” Jalen wrote in his farewell letter to Houston fans.
The financial sacrifices were real too – basketball training, travel expenses, and equipment costs add up fast on a working-class budget.
Bree never complained, never made Jalen feel guilty about the money being spent, and never let him see how tired she really was.
Entrepreneurial and Philanthropic Ventures
Beyond her day jobs, Bree started Bree’s Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, focusing on cancer awareness and helping families dealing with the disease.
The charity involvement comes from her healthcare background – she’s seen firsthand how cancer affects families, especially women trying to take care of everyone else.
Her entrepreneurial spirit shows up in how she approaches everything – from managing Jalen’s career to finding ways to support other basketball families.
The breast cancer research focus is personal for many Filipino-American families, where women often put everyone else’s health before their own.
Bree wants to change that narrative and make sure mothers know they deserve care too, not just as caregivers.
While there’s no public data on funds raised yet, the foundation represents her commitment to community service.
Recent Developments and Continued Influence
When Jalen got traded from the Houston Rockets to the Phoenix Suns, guess who got the first phone call?
“First person I called after I got the news was my mom, because of course. You gotta call Mom,” Jalen wrote.
The Phoenix Suns trade represents a new chapter, but Bree’s influence remains the same – she’s still his anchor.
In May 2022, Jalen surprised Bree with a Mercedes-Benz GLE for Mother’s Day, posting: “My mom always went the extra mile, driving me to and from basketball practice.”
During Jalen’s rookie season with the Houston Rockets, he averaged 17.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game and made the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
As Jalen’s career continues, Bree remains the person who keeps him grounded no matter how high his star rises.
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Legacy and Broader Impact
Bree Purganan’s story goes beyond just being Jalen Green’s mother – she represents every immigrant parent who works multiple jobs to give their kids a shot.
Her approach to parenting athletes isn’t complicated: work harder than everyone else, never make excuses, and remember that character matters more than talent.
The Filipino-American community sees Bree as proof that their values can produce success at the highest levels.
For other basketball families grinding it out right now, Bree’s journey shows that the sacrifice is worth it.
Her example teaches us that supporting your kids’ dreams sometimes means giving up your own comfort, but seeing them succeed makes every sleepless night worthwhile.
The pride she feels watching Jalen play in the NBA while representing his Filipino heritage is something that can’t be measured in statistics.
Key Achievements:
- College basketball “defensive terror” at Merced College
- Licensed vocational nurse specializing in mental health
- Founded Bree’s Foundation for Breast Cancer Research
- Raised NBA All-Rookie First Team member Jalen Green
Interesting Facts:
- Worked night shifts as corrections officer while supporting Jalen’s basketball career
- Drove 2.5 hours twice weekly to Oakland for Jalen’s training with Stephen Curry’s trainer
- Often slept in the car between Jalen’s games during tournaments
- Received Mercedes-Benz GLE as Mother’s Day gift from Jalen in May 2022
Family Favorites:
- Cultural Heritage: Filipino traditions and values
- Sports: Basketball, Soccer, Cross-country running
- Community Service: Cancer awareness and healthcare advocacy
- Family Time: Backyard training sessions with children
Conclusion
Bree Purganan didn’t just raise an NBA player – she created a roadmap for how immigrant families can achieve success through pure determination.
Her story proves that behind every professional athlete’s highlight reel, there’s usually a parent who made incredible sacrifices that nobody ever sees.
The next time you watch Jalen Green play for the Phoenix Suns, remember the woman who worked night shifts, slept in cars, and drove countless hours just to give her son a chance.
FAQ’s About Bree Purganan
Q: What is Bree Purganan’s background?
Bree Purganan is a Filipina-American nurse and former corrections officer from Ilocos Sur, Philippines, who became known as Jalen Green’s mother.
Q: How did Bree Purganan support Jalen Green’s basketball career?
She worked night shifts as a corrections officer, then drove 2.5 hours twice weekly to Oakland for his training, often sleeping in the car between games.
Q: What jobs did Bree Purganan work?
Bree worked as a licensed vocational nurse at Madera Community Hospital’s mental health department and as a corrections officer on the night shift.
Q: Does Bree Purganan have other children besides Jalen Green?
Yes, she has three children: Raquel Purganan (married to Steve Tucker), Jalen Green, and Jurnee Tyra (born February 2011).
Q: What is Bree Purganan’s connection to Filipino culture?
Bree was born in Ilocos Sur, Philippines, and actively maintains Filipino heritage in her family, with Jalen being the third NBA player with Filipino roots.
Q: How tall is Bree Purganan?
Bree Purganan stands 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 m) tall and weighs approximately 60 kg (132 lbs).
Q: What foundation did Bree Purganan start?
She founded Bree’s Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, focusing on cancer awareness and research.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available interviews, social media content, and credible sources. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, some personal details may not be independently verified.
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