Twenty-five years ago this month, Pitt’s Julius Page soared over Georgetown’s 7-foot center, Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje, and threw down a dunk that would become legendary, cementing a moment that still resonates in Pitt basketball history.
It was the season that the Oakland Zoo came to life. Decked out in gold, Pitt students filled the stands with handmade, newsletter-style signs of Boumtje-Boumtje, chanting his name relentlessly at their next home game.
What followed was a golden era of Pitt basketball: 10 consecutive tournament appearances, three of which included Page as a major contributor. Over his four-year tenure, he averaged 11 points, starting 128 games.
Off the court, Julius Page became a father — a role he considers even more important than basketball star. Fast forward to 2026, and three of his children are making their marks in sports: Perri Page in women’s basketball at Columbia, Julianna Page-Daughtry in track and field at Robert Morris and Julius Page Jr. as a freshman at the Neighborhood Academy.
“I’m tough as a father when it comes to expectations because that’s how I was developed as a player,” Page said. “I try to set the bar at a healthy level — not so high that it creates pressure but high enough that they feel challenged. I want them to believe they can outdo me, not feel like they’re chasing something impossible.”
Perri Page dominated at Chartiers Valley, winning three WPIAL titles and a 2019 PIAA state championship, finishing with a 110-7 record. Now at Columbia, the 5-foot-11 senior averages 14 points and seven rebounds
She earned her way to a starting role her sophomore season and has helped lead the team to back-to-back tournament appearances the last two seasons.
“When we saw our name pop up on the screen and realized we were going dancing, it was the most surreal feeling,” Perri Page said. “After everything that happened the year before, it felt like all the work finally paid off in a moment I’ll never forget.”
After Vanderbilt knocked off Columbia in the first four in 2024, things changed.
“The second time we made the tournament, our mindset was completely different,” she said. “It wasn’t just about being there any more — it was a business trip. We weren’t satisfied with the experience; we wanted to advance, and that changed how we approached everything.”
The Lions roared back and earned a 63-60 win over Washington in the first four.
Page, in her senior season, is leading Columbia in rebounds and stepped into a leadership position, similar to her father at Pitt.
Julianna Page-Daughtry, a junior at Robert Morris, might have followed in her father’s basketball footsteps, but instead, she discovered a love for track. She runs long sprints for the Colonials.
“I never planned on running track.” Page-Daughtry said. “A coach saw me running up and down the basketball court and pulled me aside and told me I should try it. That one moment completely changed my path, and I’ve been running ever since.”
Last season, Page-Daughtry, an Oakland Catholic grad, broke the Colonials’ 400-meter school record, running it in 55.07 seconds at the Benson/Hodge Memorial Invitational.
“Breaking the school record in the 400 on our home track is something I’ll never forget,” she said. “Knowing another great runner held it before me and believing I was the right person to break it made that moment even more meaningful.”
Page-Daughtry listens to her Christian music playlist and gets her body and mind right before every meet. She and her family have strong faith.
Track and field has become her passion, but basketball could’ve been her path. Despite choosing a different sport than her father, they share similarities.
“I think the biggest thing I share with my dad is mindset,” she said. “If someone tells me I can’t do something, that just motivates me more. That mentality pushes me through workouts, through races and through anything that challenges me.”
Her commitment to her teammates also mirrors her father’s leadership.
“I love my team,” Page-Daughtry said. “Coming here was the best choice for me. There aren’t many 400 runners, so our event group is really close-knit, and that makes a huge difference. Track can be loud and overwhelming, especially at meets, but having your teammates around you helps soften the noise and makes everything feel more manageable.”
The youngest Page is already showing flashes of his father’s talent. Julius Page Jr. opened his high school career with a 21-point outing against Springdale.
“My biggest focus is staying humble and continuing to work,” he said. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself or settle for what people are saying about me right now — I want to keep pushing for something bigger.”
Page Jr. is averaging over 16 points a game thus far. With his father being a Pitt legend and a former professional basketball player, he knows the stakes are high, but he feeds off of that.
“I like the pressure that comes with expectations,” he said. “I use it as motivation and as a motor to get better instead of letting it weigh me down.”
Page Jr.’s goals are clear.
“My goal is to make it to college, succeed there and hopefully reach the NBA one day,” he said. “I know that takes a lot of work, but I believe if I keep putting the time in, I can get there.”
For Julius Page, the pride isn’t just in points, records or championships. It’s in the character and mindset of his children.
“Perri is the perfectionist — it’s a gift and a curse,” Page said. “Julianna has that calm, grounded side of me. And LJ? He enjoys the friction. Watching him compete makes me believe it’s just in the DNA.”
The siblings are all proud of who they’ve become. Perri can’t wait to see what they accomplish in the future.
“In terms of growth, we’ve known each other since we were born, and it’s amazing to see how much we’ve evolved — how different we are now compared to when we were kids,” she said. “I don’t think any of us fully realize where we’ve gotten to. If we could talk to our 10-year-old selves, I don’t think we’d even believe it. That’s the icing on the cake — seeing how much we’ve grown. And the little man is only 15 years old — he still has so much ahead of him. I’m just really excited to see what’s next for all of us.”
Ultimately, Julius Page treasures fatherhood above all.
“This was my dream — not basketball, but being able to be a father like this,” he said. “Seeing my kids grow into good people means more to me than anything else. What makes me most proud is that my kids are self-motivated. They found discipline naturally, without having to go through the hardships I had to go through to find mine.”
Page is excited for his family’s future.
“At the end of the day, it’s not about sports,” Page said. “I’m proud of the academic success and the athletic achievements, but I’m most proud of the people they’ve become. My only real goal has always been for my kids to wake up happy and confident in who they are.”