Bree Purganan is the proud mother of NBA star Jalen Green, one of the most exciting young basketball players in the league today. While Jalen continues to make headlines with his explosive performances on the court, many fans want to know more about the woman behind his success. Bree is a Filipina-American nurse, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who played a key role in shaping her son’s mindset, work ethic, and deep connection to his Filipino roots. From growing up in the Philippines to raising a future NBA star in California, her story is one of strength, sacrifice, and love.
Biography Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bree Purganan |
| Known For | Mother of NBA star Jalen Green |
| Birthplace | Ilocos Sur, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino-American |
| Current Residence | Fresno, California, USA |
| Height | 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 60 kg (132 lbs) |
| Mother | Julia Durbin (teacher) |
| Stepfather | Bob Durbin (married Julia in 1995) |
| Siblings | Kriste Canon (sister), Josh Bass (brother) |
| Husband | Marcus Green (former basketball player) |
| Children | Raquel Purganan, Jalen Green, Jurnee Tyra |
| Education | Merced College (Nursing degree) |
| Profession | Registered Nurse, Entrepreneur |
| Charity Work | Founder of Bree’s Organisation for Breast Cancer Research |
| Social Media | Active on Facebook |
Early Life and Family Background
Bree Purganan was born and raised in Ilocos Sur, a province located in the northern part of the Philippines. She grew up in a modest family with her mother, Julia Durbin, who worked as a teacher. Bree has not shared any details about her biological father. In 1995, her mother married Bob Durbin, who became Bree’s stepfather. Bree grew up alongside her two siblings a sister named Kriste Canon and a brother named Josh Bass.
At some point in her youth, Bree and her family moved from the Philippines to California in the United States. This move opened up new opportunities for the family. Bree settled in the Merced area of California, where she would later build her career and raise her children. Her Filipino heritage remained an important part of her identity, and she made sure to pass those cultural values on to her kids.
Education and Nursing Career
Bree attended Merced College, where she studied nursing and also played college basketball. She earned her Associate’s degree in Nursing and later completed her Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) certification at Turlock Emanuel in 2002. These qualifications helped her launch a long career in healthcare.
Over the years, Bree has worked at several healthcare facilities, including Madera Community Hospital and Corizon Health. She built experience in different areas of nursing, with a focus on mental health and emergency care. Her career in nursing spans more than two decades, and she continues to serve as a healthcare professional in California.
Marriage and Personal Life
Bree Purganan is married to Marcus Green, a former basketball player who played alongside DeShawn Stevenson during high school. Not much is known about how Bree and Marcus met or when they got married. However, Marcus has been a supportive figure in the family and has played a major role in Jalen Green’s life.
Marcus adopted Jalen, who now carries the Green surname. He supported Jalen’s basketball development from a young age, taking him to recruitment camps and celebrating his milestones. Bree has never shared public information about Jalen’s biological father, whose first name is believed to be Enoch. Despite the private nature of her personal life, Bree and Marcus appear to have a strong and stable relationship.
Bree Purganan’s Children
Bree is a loving mother of three children, and each of them holds a special place in her life.
Her eldest child is Raquel Purganan, who is married to Steve Tucker. They currently live together in Fresno, California. Her second child is Jalen Green, born on February 9, 2002, in Merced, California. Jalen is now a professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns. Her youngest child is Jurnee Tyra, born in February 2011. Jurnee shares her older brother’s love for basketball and dreams of following in his footsteps one day.
Her Role in Jalen Green’s Basketball Journey
Bree Purganan’s influence on Jalen Green’s basketball career cannot be overstated. She was the first person to teach Jalen how to play defense, practicing with him in their home driveway. She pushed him to develop a strong work ethic and a winning mindset from a very early age. Jalen has spoken openly about how much his mother shaped his approach to the game.
Jalen attended San Joaquin Memorial High School before moving to Prolific Prep, a college-preparatory basketball program in Napa, California. He decided to skip college and joined the NBA G League Ignite team. In 2021, the Houston Rockets selected him with the second overall pick in the NBA Draft. After playing four seasons with the Rockets, Jalen was traded to the Phoenix Suns in July 2025 as part of a major deal involving Kevin Durant. He scored 29 points in his Suns debut, showing fans exactly why the team wanted him.
Philanthropy and Community Work
Beyond her nursing career, Bree Purganan is deeply committed to giving back to the community. She founded Bree’s Organisation for Breast Cancer Research, a charity focused on raising awareness and funds for breast cancer patients. Her medical background gives her a unique perspective on the challenges patients face, and she uses that knowledge to support meaningful causes.
Bree’s charity work reflects her caring and selfless nature. She believes in using her platform gained through her son’s fame to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Her dedication to helping others has earned her respect and admiration from fans and community members alike.
Cultural Pride and Filipino Heritage
One of the most beautiful parts of Bree Purganan’s story is her connection to her Filipino roots. As an immigrant from the Philippines, she made sure her children understood and appreciated their heritage. Jalen Green is one of only three players of Filipino descent to play in the NBA, joining Raymond Townsend and Jordan Clarkson.
In an interview, Bree expressed her pride in seeing Jalen embrace his Filipino identity. She shared how meaningful it was for him to visit the Philippines and connect with his roots. This cultural pride has become a central part of Jalen’s public identity, and it all started with the values Bree taught him at home.
Conclusion
Bree Purganan is much more than just the mother of an NBA star. She is a hardworking nurse, a dedicated entrepreneur, and a passionate philanthropist who has shaped her son Jalen Green into the player and person he is today. From her humble beginnings in the Philippines to her life in California, Bree’s story is a powerful reminder that behind every great athlete stands a family that believed in them first.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is Bree Purganan?
Bree Purganan is a Filipina-American nurse and entrepreneur. She is best known as the mother of NBA player Jalen Green, who currently plays for the Phoenix Suns.
2. Where was Bree Purganan born?
Bree was born in Ilocos Sur, a province in the northern Philippines. She later moved to California, United States, where she built her career and raised her family.
3. Who is Bree Purganan married to?
Bree is married to Marcus Green, a former basketball player. Marcus adopted Jalen Green and has been a supportive father figure throughout his life and basketball career.
4. How many children does Bree Purganan have?
Bree has three children Raquel Purganan (her eldest daughter), Jalen Green (her son and NBA player), and Jurnee Tyra (her youngest daughter, born in 2011).
5. What charity does Bree Purganan support?
Bree founded Bree’s Organisation for Breast Cancer Research. This charity focuses on raising awareness and funding for breast cancer patients, driven by her experience as a healthcare professional.
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