Duop Reath signs first NBA deal
Photo: Australian Boomers (Facebook)
Rose Gold Boomer Duop Reath has signed with the Portland Trailblazers.
The six foot 11 centre joins Australian teammate Matisse Thybulle in Oregon with a vastly changing roster, as star point guard Damian Lillard is set to be traded before the season starts.
This past season, he played across China and Lebanon for the Qingdao Eagles and Al Riyadi Club Beirut respectively. He averaged 18.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and two blocks per game in the CBA.
Reath represented the Trailblazers recently at this season’s NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Reath was one of the most impressive Australians at the tournament, averaging 13 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.6 blocks in five games.
Before the World Cup, Reath balled out for the Boomers in the absence of starting centre Jock Landale, this included a 26-point game vs Venezuela. In the four official games before the tournament, he averaged 15.5 points and 4.5 rebounds.
In the World Cup, his minutes would dry up as head coach Brian Goorjian preferred a small-ball line-up. But this wouldn’t stop Reath from being efficient in his short time on the court. He would start all five games averaging 8.6 points on 81% from the field and 75% from three in 14 minutes of game time.
