Trailblazers Bringing Back Stretch Big Man for 25-26
Aug 1, 2025
The Portland Trail Blazers will be bringing back Sudanese-Australian center Duop Reath who impressed with his shooting stroke and activity last year.
The news came via Hoopshype's Michael Scotto who wrote on X:
"Just In: The Portland Trail Blazers will fully guarantee the $2.22 million salary of Duop Reath for the 2025-26 season, sources told @hoopshype. Reath has averaged 7.1 points, including 35% shooting from 3-point range, and 3.0 rebounds in 14.8 minutes in two seasons with Portland."
Reath took a circuitous path to the NBA. He was born in Sudan and moved to Australia with his parents when he was nine. He began his college career at Lee College in Texas before playing his final two years with the LSU Tigers.
The big man was unable to catch on with an NBA team after leaving LSU in 2018, so he began his professional career overseas. Reath played in Serbia, Australia, China, and Beirut before he came over to the states to play with the Blazers.
Reath had an excellent season in 2023-24, starting 20 games for Portland and appearing in 68. He averaged 9.1 points and 3.7 rebounds in around 18 minutes a game. He also impressively shot 35.9% from three while standing 7 foot 1.
The Aussie player took a bit of a step back last season, with his minutes per game falling to 10.2 and his ppg falling to 4.2. Still, Reath has the kind of stroke that can't be taught, and big men that could spread the floor will always have value in today's NBA>
