Bogut: Why Reath isn't playing

After an impressive display at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Duop Reath looked like the future as a backup big man for the Australian Boomers. Less than a year later, the 28-year-old is struggling for minutes, and was the only available player not to set foot on the court against Spain.

So why is Reath all of a sudden out of the rotation? According to Australian basketball champion Andrew Bogut, it’s by no fault of his own.

“People questioning why he's (Reath) not playing, he's more of a pick-and-pop five man. Rolling is not his strength,” Bogut said on The Gold Standard podcast.

“His strength is pick-and-pop and shooting really well from the three-point line.” 

While Jock Landale always had a lock on the starting position in the Boomers’ lineup, Tasmanian JackJumpers star Will Magnay looks to have gone past Reath as Brian Goorjian’s next option. 

“Jock and Magnay are really good rollers. With the way we run our offense, we don't really need a pop guy right now,” Bogut said. 

“I think that hurts him (Reath) a little bit.”

Magnay’s performances in both the lead-up games and the Olympic opener against Spain have gone a long way towards securing him valuable minutes.

Landale, meanwhile, was dominant with 20 points and 9 boards in the Boomers’ first-up victory, and according to both Bogut and Brad Newley, the Boomers' best player on the night. 

“Defensively, Magnay is probably ahead of Duop,” Bogut added.

“I think they’re looking towards more of a defensive lineup. 

“It’s just the rotation and Reath’s a great player. Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking him, but you can't play 11, 12 guys in Olympic games.”

>> BOOMERS AT THE OLYMPICS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

The Australians are in action again against Canada on Tuesday night, with tip-off from 9.30pm AEST.