Duop Reath

Duop Thomas Reath Bio

Duop Thomas Reath is a South Sudanese-Australian professional basketball player who has built an international career spanning Europe, Australia, China, and the National Basketball Association. A six-foot-nine center, he represents the South Sudan men’s national basketball team and has played for the Portland Trail Blazers. He played college basketball for the Lee College Runnin’ Rebels and the LSU Tigers, and was part of the Australian national team that won bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Born in what was then Sudan and raised across three continents, Duop Thomas Reath forged a journeyman’s path before reaching the NBA, playing professionally in Serbia, Australia, China, and Lebanon. His versatility as a center with three-point range and defensive versatility made him a valuable international commodity before signing with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023.

Early Life and Background

Duop Thomas Reath was born on 26 June 1996 in Waat, Jonglei State, in what was then Sudan, now South Sudan. When he was nine years old, he moved with his family, including his parents Thomas Duop and Nyanen Juch, and his six siblings, to Brisbane, Australia. The family later relocated again to Perth, where Reath attended Girrawheen Senior High School. Duop is the oldest of seven children. His siblings include Sebit, Chuatwech, Nyadang, Chat, Chol, and Dinaay. His brother Sebit plays in the NBL1 West league for the East Perth Eagles. He is not related to South Sudanese high jumper Yual Reath, despite sharing a surname.

As a teenager, Reath first pursued soccer with ambitions of playing for the Australian national team, the Socceroos. A significant growth spurt during year 10 of high school redirected his athletic focus toward basketball. That physical transformation proved pivotal, opening the door to a basketball career he had not initially envisioned. Reath played seven games for the Kalamunda Eastern Suns of the State Basketball League during the 2014 season.

Reath attended Lee College in Baytown, Texas, before transferring to Louisiana State University to continue his college basketball career. His progression from Australian high school basketball to the American junior college and NCAA system reflected both his talent and determination to compete at higher levels of the sport. At LSU, he played two seasons in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) from 2016 to 2018.

Path to Basketball

Reath spent his freshman and sophomore seasons at Lee College from 2014 to 2016. During the 2014-15 season, he averaged 6.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. As a sophomore in the 2015-16 season, he elevated his production significantly, averaging 14.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. His development at the junior college level attracted the attention of major NCAA programs, leading him to transfer to LSU.

In 2016, Duop Thomas Reath joined the LSU Tigers. During his junior season, he appeared in 31 games, including 30 starts, and averaged 12.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game. He earned SEC Player of the Week honors in the first week of the season and scored a season-high 23 points against Charleston on 19 December 2016. On 4 February 2017, he pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds against Texas A&M. In his senior season, he appeared in 33 games with 28 starts and averaged 12.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game. On 20 January 2018, he scored a career-high 31 points against Vanderbilt and was named SEC Player of the Week in the fifth week of the season.

Duop Thomas Reath Career

Early Career (2018-2020)

After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft, Duop Thomas Reath joined the Dallas Mavericks for the NBA Summer League. On 1 August 2018, he signed a three-year contract with the Serbian team FMP, beginning his professional career in Europe. During the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons with FMP, he gained valuable international experience in the Adriatic League. In July 2019, he also joined the Brooklyn Nets for the 2019 NBA Summer League, maintaining his connection to the NBA pipeline while developing overseas.

Serbian League Breakthrough (2020-2021)

On 1 August 2020, Duop Thomas Reath signed a contract with Crvena zvezda, one of Europe’s most prominent basketball clubs, for the 2020-21 season. The move represented a significant step up in competition level. During his time with Crvena zvezda, he was part of a team that captured multiple titles. The 2020-21 season proved to be a career-defining campaign, as he won the Adriatic League championship and the Serbian League championship, marking his first major European titles and establishing him as a proven winner at the international club level.

Illawarra Hawks Era (2021-2022)

On 19 June 2021, Duop Thomas Reath signed with the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League for the 2021-22 season, returning to Australia to play professionally in his adopted home country. He joined the Phoenix Suns in the 2022 NBA Summer League, continuing to audition for an NBA opportunity while competing in the NBL. His stint with the Hawks gave him valuable playing time against top-level competition in the Australian league system and kept him visible to NBA scouts.

Qingdao Eagles and Al Riyadi Beirut Era (2022-2023)

Duop Thomas Reath signed with the Qingdao Eagles of the Chinese Basketball Association for the 2022-23 season. He delivered an impressive performance in China, averaging 18.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game across 39 appearances. His two-way impact as a scorer and rim protector made him one of the most productive foreign players in the CBA that season. In April 2023, he joined Al Riyadi Beirut of Lebanon for the final stretch of the season. He made his team debut on 19 April 2023 in the West Asia Super League (WASL) and scored 24 points in Al Riyadi’s win over rivals Beirut Club in the division semi-finals. He helped Al Riyadi win the West Asia subdivision championship, posting a team-high 29 points in the decisive Game 2 of the finals against Shahrdari Gorgan. He also captured the Lebanese Basketball League championship in 2023 with Al Riyadi.

Portland Trail Blazers Era (2023-Present)

On 30 June 2023, Duop Thomas Reath joined the Portland Trail Blazers for the 2023 NBA Summer League. Following his strong showing at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup representing Australia, he signed a one-year deal with the Trail Blazers on 2 October 2023. He was waived on 21 October, prior to the start of the regular season, but was re-signed to the team three days later with a two-way contract. Reath made his NBA debut on 12 November against the Los Angeles Lakers, scoring 11 points with three three-pointers made in a 116-110 loss. On 26 December 2023, he recorded a career-high 25 points, along with nine rebounds, in a 130-113 win over the Sacramento Kings. On 16 February 2024, Reath signed a standard contract with the Trail Blazers, converting from a two-way deal to a full roster spot.

Driving Style and Strengths

Duop Thomas Reath is a center with the ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting, a rare combination for a player of his size. His defensive versatility allows him to protect the rim while also holding his own in pick-and-roll coverage. His international experience across multiple leagues has developed a well-rounded skill set that translates to the NBA, including strong rebounding instincts and an increasingly reliable outside shot.

Notable Events and Milestones

Duop Thomas Reath’s NBA debut on 12 November 2023 against the Los Angeles Lakers marked a significant milestone, as he immediately demonstrated his three-point shooting ability with three makes in his first game. His career-high 25-point performance against the Sacramento Kings on 26 December 2023 was a defining individual achievement in his rookie NBA season. His signing of a standard NBA contract on 16 February 2024 represented the culmination of a years-long journey from undrafted player to full-time NBA roster member.

Duop Thomas Reath Career Wins

Duop Thomas Reath has won championships across four different leagues on three continents, demonstrating his ability to perform at the highest level in diverse basketball environments. His collection of titles includes the Adriatic League, the Serbian League, the Lebanese Basketball League, and the WASL West Asia League, underscoring his reputation as a winner throughout his professional career.

Serbian League Highlights

During the 2020-21 season with Crvena zvezda, Duop Thomas Reath won both the Adriatic League championship and the Serbian League championship. These back-to-back titles in one of Europe’s most competitive basketball nations represented a significant achievement in his professional career and established him as a contributor on a championship-caliber European club.

Lebanese and WASL Highlights

In 2023 with Al Riyadi Beirut, Duop Thomas Reath helped the team capture both the Lebanese Basketball League championship and the WASL West Asia League championship. He delivered a standout performance in the WASL finals, scoring a team-high 29 points in the decisive Game 2 against Shahrdari Gorgan to clinch the West Asia subdivision title.

Other Wins and Performances

Duop Thomas Reath won a bronze medal representing Australia at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He also had an outstanding individual season in the Chinese Basketball Association in 2022-23 with the Qingdao Eagles, averaging 18.2 points and 2.0 blocks per game over 39 appearances, showcasing his two-way impact as both a scorer and defensive presence.

Duop Thomas Reath Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Duop Thomas Reath was born in Waat, Jonglei State, in what is now South Sudan, to parents Thomas Duop and Nyanen Juch. He is the oldest of seven children. His family relocated to Brisbane, Australia, when he was nine years old, and later moved to Perth, where he attended Girrawheen Senior High School. His brother Sebit plays professional basketball in the NBL1 West league for the East Perth Eagles. He is not related to South Sudanese high jumper Yual Reath, despite sharing a surname.

Personal Life

Duop Thomas Reath holds dual nationality as a South Sudanese-Australian citizen. His early life experience of moving between South Sudan, Brisbane, and Perth shaped his resilience and adaptability, traits that have defined his basketball career across multiple countries and leagues. He has represented Australia at the highest international level, including the Olympic Games, while maintaining strong connections to his South Sudanese roots.

2025 Season Performance

During the 2024-25 NBA season, Duop Thomas Reath appeared in 46 games for the Portland Trail Blazers, posting averages of 4.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game. His role on the Trail Blazers roster continued to evolve as a reliable rotation player off the bench, providing depth at the center position. The season represented another year of NBA experience for a player who had methodically worked his way through multiple international leagues to establish himself in the world’s top basketball competition.

Duop Thomas Reath entered the 2025-26 NBA season with the Portland Trail Blazers and appeared in 32 games, averaging 2.9 points and 1.2 rebounds in 8.1 minutes of action. On 29 January 2026, he underwent season-ending foot surgery to repair a stress fracture. On 1 February 2026, the Trail Blazers traded Duop Thomas Reath, along with a 2027 second-round pick and a 2030 second-round pick, to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Vít Krejčí. The Hawks waived Reath on 5 February 2026.