Duop Reath

Duop Reath is an Australian basketball player who currently plays as backup center for the Portland Trail Blazers. Undrafted in 2018, Reath’s initial stop was with the FMP, a basketball club in Belgrade, Serbia. Then in 2020, he secured a contract with the prestigious Serbian team Crvena zvezda, contributing to their victory in the ABA League in the 2020/21 season as their backup big man.

Reath's global basketball journey continued in 2021 when he joined the Illawarra Hawks in the Australian NBL (National Basketball League) for the 2021/22 season. With the Hawks, Reath was named the Club MVP and led his team to the second seed in the NBL that season. Then in the following season, he ventured into the CBA (Chinese Basketball Association) with the Qingdao Eagles, where he averaged an impressive 18.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game in 39 appearances.

Despite initial setbacks in securing a contract from an NBA team, Reath's perseverance paid off in the 2023 off-season when the Portland Trail Blazers signed him to a one-year contract. Though initially waived just before the season, Portland later signed him to a two-way contract.

Reath didn't make an appearance for the Trail Blazers in the initial eight games of the 2023/24 season. However, in the team’s ninth game against the Lakers, he made his NBA debut, registering 11 points in just 14 minutes. Since then, Reath has consistently demonstrated an outstanding high energy two-way game, solidifying his role as a key bench player in the Blazers' rotation.

Duop Reath Personal Life

Duop Reath was born in the southern part of Sudan, which is now known as Jonglei State in South Sudan. His family relocated to Brisbane, Australia, when he was just nine years old. The family, including Reath's parents and six siblings moved to Perth, where he attended Girrawheen Senior High School.

Initially drawn to soccer with dreams of representing the Socceroos (Australian National Soccer Team), Reath embraced basketball as his primary sport due to dramatic growth spurt by age 10. This pivotal moment led him to a basketball journey as he attended a community college called Lee College in Baytown, Texas, where he played during his freshman and sophomore seasons from 2014 to 2016.

For his junior season, Reath received several basketball scholarships from reputed NCAA Division-I universities among which Reath decided to join the Louisiana State University (LSU) where he played from 2016 to 2018. At LSU, Reath emerged as a standout center.

Duop Reath Contract

On October 24, 2023, Duop Reath signed a two-way contract worth $559,782 with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Duop Reath Style of Play

Duop Reath is a versatile two-way center. He has carved a niche for himself in the NBA as an offensively solid big man who can play off the ball effectively. Possessing strong post moves, he can also dominate in the paint.

Reath is not confined to the traditional big man role as he can also shoot from beyond the arc. Reath’s ability to stretch the floor is exemplified by his willingness to take four 3-pointers per game in limited time, connecting on an impressive 1.4 (36.7% accuracy). Despite averaging a modest 18.3 minutes per game, Reath's impact has been notable.

As a high-energy player coming off the bench, Reath brings a relentless motor to the game. His solid intangibles contribute not only to his individual success, but also to the overall defensive prowess of the Portland Trail Blazers. Defensively sound and fundamentally strong, Reath has become a valuable asset for the Trail Blazers. His journey from South Sudan to the courts of Perth, Australia and then becoming a bench player in the NBA is a testament to his skills, adaptability and unwavering work ethic.