‘Who the hell’: NBA discovers ‘hidden gem’ as Aussie Duop Reath explodes

Basketball fans are learning the name of an unheralded Aussie big man after Duop Reath starred in a scintillating, career best NBA game.

Duop Reath had a career best NBA game.

Australian Duop Reath dropped a career high 25 points in his best game yet for the Portland Trail Blazers to make the NBA sit up and take notice of the unheralded big man.

After being waived by Portland on the eve of the season, Reath impressed in the second tier G-League and returned to the main roster on a two-way deal, making his NBA debut in November.

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The 27-year-old has made the most of more court time in the absence of injured centre Deandre Ayton and has shown he’s the perfect modern day NBA big man who can stretch the floor with three-point shooting.

On Wednesday (AEDT) against the Sacramento Kings, Reath starred in Portland’s 130-113 win over their more fancied Western Conference rivals.

Reath shot 9-15 from the field including a trio of three-pointers to go along with nine rebounds. His team plus-minus when he was on the court for Portland was a massive +24.

Duop Reath had a career best game for the Portland Trailblazers.

Reath turned on the jets to race to an open slam dunk.

Along with his three-point shots, Reath’s highlight play came when he sprinted down the court on a fast break and slammed home a dunk in transition after getting on the end of a pass from Jabari Walker.

His dominance from inside the paint and beyond the arc had Aussie basketball fans, Trail Blazers tragics and NBA nuffies in awe.

Duop Reath is shooting 35% on *9.5* 3PA per 36. That's cool. There's a lot of value in having a Center who can shoot, but it's a small sample and plenty of tall guys can shoot. How many of those guys can attack a close-out like this though?

Portland might have a hidden gem here. pic.twitter.com/l2CkZAQipW

— Hot Hand Theory (@HotHandTheory) December 27, 2023

Love how Duop is taking his chance in Portland! #NBAhttps://t.co/8Z6UGQy58F

— Roy Ward (@rpjward) December 27, 2023

Excuse me sir, do you have a moment to talk about the word of our lord and savior Duop Reath?

— Jed Wells (@JedWells23) December 27, 2023

Who the hell is Duop Reath and why is he cooking us😭

— KingsMuse (@kings_muse) December 27, 2023

Duop Reath against the Sacramento Kings defense: pic.twitter.com/GrLNZuZioy

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) December 27, 2023

That’s a new career-high for Duop Reath: 25 points (9/15 FG, 3/6 3pt) and 9 rebounds off the bench in the Portland Trail Blazers’ win over the Kings. The Sudanese-Australian big-man has scored in double figures in 7 of 10 games over December.

— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) December 27, 2023

Shoutout Duop Reath

— KENNY BEECHAM (@KOT4Q) December 27, 2023

Reath previously played for the Illawarra Hawks in the NBL and was part of the Boomers squad that won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics.

With fellow Aussie big man Jock Landale stuck behind rising star Alperen Sengun in the Houston Rockets pecking order, Reath could well be Australia’s starting centre at next year’s Paris Olympics.

A typically humble Reath paid tribute to his teammates after the game and said he was most pleased that Portland secured their eighth win of the season.

“Shout out to the squad, all I had to do was finish over there,” he said post game.

“They set me up really well so shout out to the team.

“I think I had some pretty open shots and so just had to shoot with confidence and do what I do.

“It feels good. I’m just happy we got the win too.”

Giddey dishes in assist blitz

Elsewhere in Wednesday’s action, Josh Giddey made an earlier than expected return from an ankle sprain in the OKC Thunder’s 129-106 over Western Conference leaders the Minnestota Timberwolves.

Giddey finished with 11 points and seven assists — including five assists in six minutes to start the game and six in the first quarter.

The Thunder sit third in the Western Conference with a 19-9 record.