In this article, we will examine the biography of NBA upstart Jalen Green and the parents who helped him rise to such heights, Marcus Green and Bree Purganan. It explores the lives of Marcus Green, an athlete-turned-mentor and stepfather, as well as Bree Purganan, a Filipino-American nurse, who has grown into an encouraging and nurturing mother.
The story highlights them as influential figures in developing Jalen’s discipline, cultural identity, and resilience—traits that drive his ascent to a professional basketball career. The article goes beyond a story of family and points to how proper parental guidance, emotional confidence, and being grounded pave the way for an athlete’s long-term success. Marcus and Bree stay mainly in the background, but their influence on Jalen is significant and lasting.
Early Life and Background
Early life and family background
Birth and Hometown
Marcus Antonio Green (born August 13, 1996, in New Albany, Mississippi).
Family Environment
Michael is the child of Michael Green and Rheakesha Vaughn, and has two sisters (Martina and Ciera) and a brother, Micah. Marcus grew up with his mother, a gospel recording artist and music minister, who instilled many valuable and disciplinary principles in him at a young age.
Prep and Two-Sport Star
Athletic Prowess
Marcus also played cornerback in high school, but he was a wide receiver in college and the NFL. Additionally, he was a starting varsity basketball player in high school, where his coaches described him as fast, athletic, and a leader.
College and Athletic Career
Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks
College Highlights
Marcus played wide receiver at the University of Louisiana-Monroe, where he was a perennial leader in receptions and receiving yards for his team during his redshirt freshman year. He also ranked first in the NCAA in kickoff return yards, averaging a phenomenal 32.4 yards while recording four touchdown returns.
NFL Draft and Professional Attempts
2019 NFL Draft
Marcus was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round (203rd overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Practice Squad Journeys
He transitioned to the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad, signing a reserve/future contract, but was ultimately released before regaining a roster spot.
2.3 CFL, USFL, and Beyond
CFL Stint
Marcus signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in April 2021 and re-signed in 2022 before announcing his retirement in May.
USFL Experience
In October 2022, he joined the New Jersey Generals but was released and re-signed in April 2023 before the team transitioned during the USFL-XFL merger.
Getting to Know Marcus Green as a Dad and a Role Model
3.1 Marriage and Family Life
Marcus is married to Bree Purganan, a physiotherapist of Filipino descent, as well as a nurse and entrepreneur. The pair shares three children, including Jalen Green (born 2002), whom Marcus is married to and has adopted as his stepson.
3.2 Jalen Green has a supportive stepfather
Influence on Jalen
Marcus became a prominent brother figure to Jalen when Bree remarried. He attended recruitment events from Jalen’s seventh grade and supported pivotal career milestones, including gifting personalized gear when Jalen made his first dunk.
Approach to Parenting
Marcus instilled a strong work ethic in Jalen. As he once stated in a Bleacher Report interview: “He works for everything. Not the worst, but not the best either. He works for everything. He was not given anything.”
The Anchor’s Rock: Bree Purganan
Marcus is both proud of and inspired by their children, and to understand Marcus, you also need to understand his wife. Since the children prosper, you should also be aware of the nurturing environment created by her, Bree Purganan.
4.1 Early Life and Traits
Origin and Heritage
Born in Ilocos Sur, Philippines, Bree moved to the United States, where she was raised by her mother, Julia Durbin, and stepfather, Bob Durbin. She has Filipino-American nationality and grew up with siblings Josh Bass and Kristie Canon.
Education and Career
A Merced College graduate in nursing, Bree balanced college athletics with her studies. Now a professional nurse and entrepreneur, she’s also a passionate advocate for breast cancer research, founding “Bree’s Foundation for Breast Cancer Research”.
4.2 Family Contributions
Motherhood
Bree is celebrated as the loving mother of Raquel, Jalen, Jurnee Tyra. Jalen is also an accomplished basketball player, and she has often traveled with him and cheered him on at events.
Cultural Influence
Like any good Filipino parent, Bree made sure to keep Jalen connected. This cultural context is critical to Jalen, to the point that it influenced his trips to Manila and his desire to represent the Philippines on the world stage.
The making of Jalen Green: how an entire family created a star
The Rise of Youth—and the Maturity of AAU
High School Spotlight
Jalen received national basketball recognition while attending San Joaquin Memorial High School in California, where he became a highly regarded shooting guard in his class.
G League Ignite Journey
Jalen opted to pass on college and play for the NBA G League Ignite before being selected by the Houston Rockets with the second overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft.
NBA All-Star and veteran presence
Rookie Success
Jalen earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team in his first season (2021–22), averaging 17.3 points per game.
Emerging Star
He posted close to 20 points per contest (19.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.5 APG) during the 2023–24 season on 42.3% shooting overall and 33.2% shooting from deep.
Family Influence On His Journey
Marcus’s Mentorship
Marcus has been a constant figure in Jalen’s life, taking him to events, instilling a competitive drive, and providing tough love, which is vital to Jalen’s development.
Bree’s Emotional Support
Through the sometimes intense world of high-stakes youth sports and later the professional spotlight, Bree was a calming and nurturing influence that helped bring much-needed balance.
Marcus Green’s Personal Values and Character
Faith, Discipline, and a group effort
Marcus grew up in a Christian environment—his mother was a minister—and he now instills the virtues of hard work and preparation in his children. His history as a multisport athlete creates a no-nonsense and focused family atmosphere.
From Player to a Coach-Like Player
Though his professional football career was brief, Marcus carried that athletic discipline into parenting, coaching Jalen’s journey as a mentor, supporter, and role model.
Mosaic of the Green-Purganan Family
Brothers and sisters: Raquel and Jurnee Tyra
Raquel
The oldest sister, who is married to Steve Tucker, now freelances in digital design.
Jurnee Tyra
The youngest from 17-Feb-2011. She has a brother who is similar to her, who is already practicing sports such as volleyball and basketball.
7.2 Values and Family Unity
Greens and Pagans emphasize spirit, learning, self-control, and active citizenship. They have moulded a close-knit collective of ambition, intent, and humility.
Legacy and Impact
Marcus’s Quiet Influence
He is not the most public of celebrities, but Marcus has a massive fan base. Not a fame-maker, but a builder of modern NBA players—through steady love, effort, and demanding excellence.
Bree Untapped Power
Bree remains uncredited mainly for her behind-the-scenes leadership. In her roles as a nurse, mother, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and keeper of the culture, she has had a profound impact on her children in private ways.
The Rising Generation
With Jalen rising in the NBA, Raquel charting a creative course, and Jurnee as an athletic phenom, the family legacy lives on — in sports, the arts, and service.
The Wash-up: Enjoying the Tale
As I examine the life of Marcus Green, it embodies perseverance and character, from a Mississippi-born multi-sport athlete to a career in professional football that was not to be, to a house in the suburbs, a family, and a spiritual life grounded in faith, sweat equity, and cultural identity. Now multiply that foundation—he married Bree Purganan, combining grit with someone who deeply cares about her community.
So this partnership resulted in a family that:
- Jalen Green has become an NBA star, embraced Filipino culture, and inspired the world.
- Raquel moved through her art and design work with authority.
- Jurnee, on the other hand, appears to be on the verge of joining her brother in sports.
And through Marcus and Bree, it demonstrates how a values-driven upbringing can transform people, including celebrities, into purpose-driven, compassionate, and self-aware individuals.
Conclusion
Marcus Green doesn’t appear on highlight reels, but his legacy remains just as strong. Jalen shows this through his discipline and humility, Raquel through her artistic accomplishments, and Jurnee through her emerging athletic talent. Unflappably supported by Bree Purganan, who plays Marcus, the unseen hero behind the thunder, holding up, guiding, giving a little bump up to the family who will shape a generation.
A reinforcement of relevant material: Greatness is born out of the limelight, surrounded by intentional, loving, and disciplined support from a mother and father, and shared values within a close-knit family. Marcus and Bree are an embodiment of the love that spans generations and the silent scaffolding that bolsters every success.