Meet the 2016 LSU Basketball Recruit Class: Duop Reath
By Andrey Burin
As a junior college transfer, 2016 LSU Basketball signee Duop Reath will start next year as one of the most experienced big men on the Tigers squad despite being a newcomer to the team. One of the premier prospects playing in the JUCO circuit last year, the Lee College alum brings size, energy and skill to a frontcourt looking to replace departed point forward Ben Simmons.
Death Valley Voice had the opportunity to ask Reath a few questions in anticipation of his first year on the team:
AB: For the benefit of myself and fellow LSU Basketball fans I’d just like to confirm how your name is pronounced?
DR: Dw-ahp.
AB: I want to start off by just delving into your personal upbringing a little bit. How old were you when you moved to Australia, and how exactly did that move happen?
DR: Well, I was born in South Sudan. My family moved to Australia when I was nine years old. My parents thought that we would have a better situation in Australia than South Sudan due to the civil war going on there.
AB: Tell me about the first time that you played basketball over in Australia and your introduction to the sport?
DR: I actually started out playing soccer and Australian football, and then in high school—around 8th/9th grade I started playing basketball as I started growing and continued to grow.
AB: How was the level of competition when playing in high school, and when did you realize that basketball would be a serious possibility for you in college?
DR: Honestly, the level of competition really wasn’t great, but I was doing most of the work on my team. Australian football and soccer were the main sports at my school with basketball not being taken seriously. [On my high school team], I ended up doing most of the work: dribbling, shooting, playing defense.
More from Death Valley Voice
- LSU Football: There is terrible news regarding Greg Brooks Jr.
- LSU Football: ESPN makes hilarious blunder regarding Malik Nabers
- Cincinnati Bengals are mismanaging quarterback Joe Burrow
- Michigan State must consider Ed Orgeron to replace Mel Tucker
- LSU Football: Welcome to Arkansas Razorbacks hate week
AB: Were you a big NBA fan growing up? Any players or teams you were a huge fan of?
DR: I was a huge NBA fan growing up. I liked watching the game whenever I could. Really just watching the game in general rather than a specific team. We got it on cable television in Australia.
AB: How were you recruited by Lee College?
DR: In Australia, we have a tournament twice a year—July and December. Lee College coach [Marcus] King came down to the July tournament in 2014, and he saw me play and said that he would help me get better, grow as a basketball player and an athlete, and so I thought it would be better to go play in the states—and of course there was also a free education there.
AB: How was the transition from Australia to Texas? Any big cultural differences that stood out?
DR: There wasn’t a big difference from Australia to Texas culturally. However, once I got there driving was a big difference. You drive on the left side of the road [in Australia] as compared to Texas, and sometimes I would be afraid of getting into an accident since it was so different here. It didn’t take long for me to adjust to the time zone differences though.
AB: How was playing at Lee College with fellow 2016 Tiger signee Branden Jenkins?
DR: Playing with him was good, he really plays defense. As a player he gives you a lot. Great guy, great teammate, great competitor, Branden was an overall great guy to play with, and I’m excited to continue doing so.
AB: Ok now let’s get into the basketball questions a little more. What do you feel are your greatest strengths as a player?
DR: I can do a little of everything: handle the ball, shoot the ball, protect the rim and score. I try to be an all-around basketball player.
AB: You are a skilled shooter and can handle the ball a bit—how were you able to develop those typically guard skills instead of simply playing the traditional big man’s role of rebounding and scoring in the paint.
DR: As I trained, I wanted to be a real basketball player, not just a single-skill player. Also, my coach made us run up and down, really work on all our skills in college and even back home in Australia we would on our skills a lot to become full basketball players.
AB: Is there a particular NBA player that you look to emulate or consider a good comparison for your game?
DR: Dirk Nowitzki. He stretches the floor out really well. Also [Serge] Ibaka, Ibaka is a great rim protector.
AB: Where do you think you can still grow as a basketball player or an athlete?
DR: I would like to be stronger. Also I still work on everything every day. I’m not finished growing [as a player], still constantly working on everything every day.
AB: What role do you see yourself playing for the Tigers this upcoming season?
DR: My role will just be to come out and play hard every game. I will be a junior so I will be expected to be one of the leaders on the team, play hard, compete. My role as a player will be protect the rim, score the ball, compete, win games.
AB: Do you have any thoughts on Baton Rouge and LSU’s campus? And lastly is there any message you’d like to send to Tiger Basketball fans?
DR: As for the campus, it’s good, I like it a lot, really a beautiful campus. To the fans—Be ready for an exciting season.
Next: LSU Basketball's 2016 Recruiting Class: A Bright Future