Boomers centre and WA product Duop Reath earns NBA deal with Portland Trail Blazers

Boomers centre Duop Reath will join the growing list of Australians in the NBA next season, set to sign a one-year deal with the Portland Trail Blazers.

The South Sudan-born, Perth-raised Reath impressed with Portland’s Summer League team and was then an efficient starter in the Boomers’ World Cup campaign.

Reath, who has played in Serbia, the NBL with Illawarra, China and most recently Lebanon, was promoted to start after Jock Landale’s injury on the eve of the World Cup.

He shot 75 per cent from long range and 81 per cent on all shots, averaging 8.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in less than 15 minutes per game.

He’s now set to join Houston centre Landale in the NBA and add to a swelling list of Australian talent - a record nine Boomers with experience in the league not including Reath played at the World Cup - in the NBA.

Compatriot Matisse Thybulle was traded to the Trail Blazers earlier this year, both men able to cement their position at next year’s Paris Olympics with strong NBA form in 2024.