Reath stars in big game for the Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers are one of the worst teams in the NBA this season. They were huge underdogs against the Sacramento Kings on Boxing Day. Instead of rolling over like the betting sites expected them to do, the Blazers dominated the Kings down the stretch. Brisbane’s own Duop Reath was part of the reason for Portland’s big win.
Reath, who is currently on a two-way contract with the Blazers and their G-League affiliate club, came off the bench to score 25 points. Most of his points came in transition and fast break opportunities, but the big man also scored from beyond the arc later in the game. The 27-year-old also brought in 9 rebounds, nearly getting his first career double-double.
After the Blazers 130-113 victory, the club’s head coach Chauncey Billups singled out Reath for praise. The team posted to X (formerly known as Twitter) a video of Billups giving Reath the game ball after praising him for getting a career high in points and rebounds. The coach also ribbed Reath for getting a career high in assists with 0 assists.
The video ends with Reath’s Blazers teammates dumping water over his head and celebrating the victory with him. It’s too to say whether this strong performance is enough for Reath to secure a full-time contract, but things are looking promising for the Aussie journeyman.
Other Aussies in the NBA
Prior to coming to the NBA, Reath played in Serbia, China, Lebanon, and in the NBL for the Illawarra Hawks. His path is pretty similar to many other Aussies in the NBA. Dante Exum, who has become a key player for the Dallas Mavericks, also spent time in Europe recently.
Including Reath and Exum, there are 11 Boomers playing in the NBA this season. Brooklyn’s Ben Simmons remains the most high profile Aussie in the NBA, but he’s yet to perform for the national team like he has for his NBA sides.
Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, and Reath’s Portland teammate Matisse Thybulle are the biggest names from a national team perspective playing in the NBA. Boomers fans had high hopes for Josh Giddey as well, but it’s unclear whether he will have a role for the national team in the future due to his ongoing legal issues in Oklahoma City.
2024 Paris Olympics
The Boomers are among the favourites to win the 2024 Paris Olympics. Most of the best basketball betting sites give Australia third or fourth best odds. USA remains the huge favourite with Canada, and Serbia just behind them.
Some sportsbooks put France ahead of Australia. Other international betting sites even have Germany among the favourites following their strong performance at the FIBA World Cup.
