NBA star Duop Reath runs the risk of missing the Paris Olympics if he can't control his temper, Boomers coach Brian Goorjian says.
Reath is on track for his second Games appearance after a breakout season with the Portland Trail Blazers, and is set to play a more significant role than he did in Tokyo.
But the 28-year-old centre treaded a fine line when he lost his cool in an ugly incident during Tuesday's Olympic warm-up win over China at John Cain Arena.
Reath, who posted 21 points and six rebounds, was involved in a final-quarter confrontation with Runwang Du and pushed his head into his opponent's face.
Du dropped theatrically to the floor, while Reath was handed an unsportsmanlike foul.
Speaking post-game, Goorjian said he intended to make an example of the incident with his players before the second clash with China on Thursday.
"If you do something stupid here, you could get suspended and then cut (from the team) because you won't be available to play the games," Goorjian told reporters.
"Certain things happen at this level ... I wasn't thinking about that, but that point will be made.
"Tonight was a reminder."
Reath is part of a core group who appear almost certain of their tickets to Paris, along with fellow NBA players Josh Giddey, Patty Mills, Josh Green, Dante Exum, Matisse Thybulle, Dyson Daniels and Jock Landale.
Four more spots remain, with Goorjian required to cut five players from the existing 17-man squad after the China series.
It's a tough ask for the coach - and getting tougher - after fringe forward Jack McVeigh dominated the opening game, scoring a team-high 24 points on the back of a brilliant shooting display.
"I do feel we are going to get the right group and the tenacity, the spirit," Goorjian said.
"Some of the stuff that was missing from the World Cup (last year) is there this time, and that is an aspect.
"This ball juggle is not about making tough cuts, it's about how do you win games.
"Every time you play, it gets a little more cloudy when I want it to be clearer."
