Bree Purganan is not a famous name on her own. But many people search for her because of her son, NBA player Jalen Green. Bree is a nurse, a businesswoman, and a mother of three. She raised Jalen with hard work and strong family values. Today, Jalen plays in the NBA, and fans want to know more about the woman behind his success.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bree Purganan |
| Known For | Mother of NBA player Jalen Green |
| Birthplace | Ilocos Sur, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino-American |
| Current Residence | California, United States |
| Profession | Registered nurse, entrepreneur |
| Husband | Marcus Green |
| Children | Raquel Purganan, Jalen Green, Jurnee Tyra |
| Mother | Julia Durbin (teacher) |
| Stepfather | Bob Durbin |
| Siblings | Kristie Purganan Canon, Josh Bass |
| Charity Work | Founder, Bree’s Foundation for Breast Cancer Research |
Early Life and Family Background
Bree Purganan was born in Ilocos Sur, a province in the Philippines with a rich history. She grew up there with her two siblings, Kristie Purganan Canon and Josh Bass. Her mother, Julia Durbin, worked as a teacher and raised the children largely on her own. Bree’s biological father is not known publicly. In 1995, Julia remarried, and Bob Durbin became Bree’s stepfather.
Later, Bree moved with her family to the United States and settled in California. She has stayed close to her Filipino roots even after living in America for many years. This connection to her home country later became an important part of her son Jalen’s identity as well.
Marriage and Children
Bree Purganan is married to Marcus Green, a former high school basketball player. Marcus once played alongside DeShawn Stevenson, who later became an NBA player. Marcus is not Jalen’s biological father, but he stepped into the role of stepfather and later adopted Jalen, giving him the Green surname. Details about Jalen’s biological father remain private, though reports suggest he was of African-American descent.
Together, Bree and Marcus have three children:
- Raquel Purganan – The eldest child. She is married to Steve Tucker, and the couple lives in Fresno, California.
- Jalen Green – The middle child and now a well-known NBA player. He was drafted by the Houston Rockets in 2021 and later joined the Phoenix Suns in 2025.
- Jurnee Tyra – The youngest child, born in February 2011. She shares her brother’s love for basketball.
Bree’s mixed family background gave her children a strong sense of both Filipino and American culture. Jalen often speaks proudly about his Filipino heritage, which he says comes directly from his mother’s side of the family.
Career as a Nurse and Entrepreneur
Away from basketball, Bree Purganan built a solid career in healthcare. She trained and worked as a registered nurse, a job that requires patience, discipline, and long hours. Many people believe this same discipline helped shape how she raised her children.
Besides nursing, Bree is also known as an entrepreneur. She has balanced her business activities with her nursing career and her family life. While the public does not know every detail about her work history, it is clear that she has always valued hard work and independence.
Supporting Jalen’s Basketball Journey
Long before Jalen Green became famous, Bree was already supporting his dream. Raising a young athlete is not easy, and money was often tight. Reports say Bree worked multiple jobs at times to pay for Jalen’s basketball training and travel costs. She wanted her son to have every chance to succeed, even when the family faced financial struggles.
Bree also made sure Jalen did not focus only on sports. She pushed him to work hard in school too, teaching him that talent alone is not enough. Discipline, she believed, is what keeps success going after talent opens the first door.
Marcus Green, Jalen’s stepfather, also played a big part in his basketball training. With his own basketball background, Marcus helped guide Jalen’s skills on the court. Together, Bree and Marcus formed a strong support system that helped Jalen grow from a young player into an NBA draft pick.
Jalen Green was selected by the Houston Rockets in the 2021 NBA Draft. He played for the team until July 2025, when he moved to the Phoenix Suns. Throughout his career, Jalen has often credited his mother for keeping him grounded and focused, even as fame grew around him.
A Proud Filipino Connection
One of the most meaningful parts of Bree’s influence is cultural pride. Because of his mother’s heritage, Jalen Green is able to represent the Philippines in international basketball. This makes him one of only a few Filipino players in NBA history, alongside names like Raymond Townsend and Jordan Clarkson.
Jalen has visited the Philippines and even held a basketball tour called the JG4 Manila Tour, partly in honor of his mother’s home province. This trip meant a lot to Bree, as it connected her son’s success back to the country where she was born and raised.
Charity and Community Work
Bree Purganan is also known for her charity work. She founded an organization called Bree’s Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. Through this foundation, she works to raise awareness about breast cancer and support research efforts. This shows that her care for others goes beyond her own family and reaches into her wider community.
Balancing a nursing career, business work, motherhood, and charity is not simple. Yet those who follow her story often describe her as someone who manages all these roles with quiet strength.
Life Away From the Spotlight
Even though her son is a famous NBA player, Bree Purganan has kept much of her personal life private. Her exact date of birth and age have not been made public. She does not seek media attention and prefers to let her work and family speak for themselves. She does have a Facebook page where she sometimes shares glimpses of her family life and career.
This private nature is common among many parents of famous athletes. They support their children fully but choose to stay out of the public eye themselves.
Conclusion
Bree Purganan may not play basketball herself, but her impact on the sport is real. As a nurse, entrepreneur, and devoted mother, she shaped the character of NBA star Jalen Green from a young age. Her discipline, sacrifice, and cultural pride gave Jalen the foundation he needed to succeed both on and off the court. While she stays mostly private, her story shows the important role that parents, especially mothers, play behind every successful athlete’s career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bree Purganan?
Bree Purganan is a Filipino-American nurse and entrepreneur. She is best known as the mother of NBA player Jalen Green, who currently plays for the Phoenix Suns.
Is Marcus Green Jalen Green’s biological father?
No. Marcus Green is Jalen’s stepfather. He later adopted Jalen, which is why Jalen carries the Green surname. Jalen’s biological father has not been publicly identified.
How many children does Bree Purganan have?
Bree has three children: Raquel Purganan, Jalen Green, and Jurnee Tyra. Jalen is her middle child and the most well known due to his NBA career.
