Damon Lowery
{{short description|American basketball player}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Damon Lowery
| image =
| caption =
| position = Point guard
| height_cm = 180
| weight_kg = 80
| league =
| team =
| number =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1967|11|13}}
| birth_place = Michigan, U.S.
| nationality = American / Australian
| high_school = Buena Vista (Saginaw, Michigan)
| college = Alaska Southeast (1985–1989)
| draft_year = 1989
| career_start = 1992
| career_end = 2013
| coach_start = 2018
| coach_end =
| years1 = 1992–1993
| team1 = Mildura Mavericks
| years2 = 1994–1998
| team2 = Ballarat Miners
| years3 = 1999–2000
| team3 = Kilsyth Cobras
| years4 = 2000–2004
| team4 = Wollongong Hawks
| years5 = 2005
| team5 = Hunter Pirates
| years6 = 2005
| team6 = Kilsyth Cobras
| years7 = 2005–2006
| team7 = Townsville Crocodiles
| years8 = 2006–2010
| team8 = Eltham Wildcats
| years9 = 2011
| team9 = Bulleen Boomers
| years10 = 2012
| team10 = Hume City Broncos
| years11 = 2013
| team11 = Camberwell Dragons
| cyears1 = 2018
| cteam1 = Whittlesea Pacers (assistant)
| cyears2 = 2019; 2021
| cteam2 = Whittlesea Pacers
| highlights =
- NBL champion (2001)
- 2× ABA national champion (1994, 1995)
- 2× All-SEABL Team (1999, 2005)
- 2× All-District NAIA District I (1988, 1989)
}}
Damon Lowery (born November 13, 1967{{#tag:ref|Lowery's official NBL profiles had his birth date listed as November 13, 1969,{{cite web |title=Damon Lowery |url=http://www.nbl.com.au/players_details/v3/0,2214,157,00.htm |website=NBL.com.au |access-date=26 December 2024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010617184800/http://www.nbl.com.au/players_details/v3/0,2214,157,00.htm |archive-date=17 June 2001}}{{cite web |title=Damon Lowery |url=http://nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=crocodiles_playerprofile&profile=110 |website=NBL.com.au |access-date=26 December 2024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051224142243/http://nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=crocodiles_playerprofile&profile=110 |archive-date=24 December 2005}} but Lowery is quoted as being 21 years old in March 1989{{cite news |last1=Sasseville |first1=Jolie |title="Unstoppable" Lowery looks back on UAS years |url=https://scholarworks.alaska.edu/bitstream/handle/11122/9898/Whalesong%201989-03-03.pdf?sequence=1 |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=UAS Whalesong |date=3 March 1989 |page=6}} and in November 2021 he is noted as turning 54, indicating that his year of birth is 1967.{{cite news |title=Lowery's Missions Impossible |url=https://nbl.com.au/news/lowerys-missions-impossible |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=NBL.com.au |date=9 November 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227153852/https://nbl.com.au/news/lowerys-missions-impossible |archive-date=27 December 2024}}|group=lower-alpha|name=birthdate}}) is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the University of Alaska Southeast before playing his entire professional career in Australia. He played in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) during the 1990s and then debuted in the National Basketball League (NBL) in 2000 for the Wollongong Hawks. He won an NBL championship in his first season and went on to play six NBL seasons, four with the Hawks, one with the Hunter Pirates and one with the Townsville Crocodiles. He finish his career with eight seasons in the Big V.
After retiring as a player, Lowery started coaching in the Big V and later served as head coach of the Australia women's national 3x3 team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Early life
Lowery was born in the U.S. state of Michigan. His mother worked in the school district of Saginaw, Michigan.
Lowery attended Saginaw Buena Vista High School in Buena Vista Charter Township, where he played for the Knights basketball team.{{cite news |last1=Morgan |first1=Brad |title=Beecher advances to prep 'B' final |url=https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/midaily/mdp.39015071754753/552 |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=The Michigan Daily |date=23 March 1985}} His high school coach was Norwaine Reed,{{cite web |title=10 {{!}} Damon Lowery - Under The Surface |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxmJYVVJPeY&t=550s |website=YouTube |publisher=Under The Surface with Anneli Maley |access-date=27 December 2024 |date=18 April 2023}} who began coaching Buena Vista in 1983.{{cite journal |title=Cardinal Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2010 |url=https://www.svsucardinals.com/Community/Hall_of_Fame/Class_of_2010 |website=svsucardinals.com |access-date=27 December 2024 |language=en}} Lowery was the sixth man in eleventh grade and then a starter in his senior year. He averaged seven assists and six steals as a senior in 1984–85 and was a teammate of future NBA player Mark Macon.{{cite news |title=Escanaba Daily Press Archives, Mar 19, 1985, p. 10 |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/us/michigan/escanaba/escanaba-daily-press/1985/03-19/page-10/ |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=newspaperarchive.com |quote=Damon Lowery a 5-6 senior Point guard usually gets the Ball to Macon in Buena vistas wheel offence. Lowery averages seven assists six steals... |url-access=subscription}} Buena Vista lost in double overtime to Beecher High School in the 1985 state championship final.{{cite news |last1=Savage |first1=Brendan |title='Special team' won 1985 state basketball championship at Beecher |url=https://www.mlive.com/sports/flint/2019/03/special-team-won-1985-state-basketball-championship-at-beecher.html |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=mlive.com |date=22 March 2019 |language=en}} Lowery later stated: "I was so nervous in the state high school championship that I played a terrible game. We lost in double overtime. I vowed never to be nervous or to choke again."
Lowery travelled with Reed on road trips to play summer league in Detroit.
College career
Lowery was a four-year starter for the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) Whales men's basketball team between 1985 and 1989, becoming the first player to complete all four years of collegiate eligibility with the Whales. He was recruited by Whales coach Clair Markey in 1985 and considered transferring after his first year. He averaged around 10 points per game in his first season. In his sophomore year, only the third year of the Whales basketball program, the team made it to the first round of post-season play-off action. In his final season, he averaged 25.4 points per game. He was named All-District NAIA District I as a junior and senior after he led the district in scoring, assists, and steals both seasons. He was also named All-Northwest First Team and honorable mention All-American as a senior.{{cite news |title=Lowery to play ball in Australia |url=https://scholarworks.alaska.edu/bitstream/handle/11122/5691/Soundings%201989-05-19.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=UAS Whalesong |date=19 May 1989 |page=2}}
Due to changing his major in his junior year from business to education, Lowery did not graduate from UAS in 1989 despite having played out his eligibility. He returned to UAS in the fall to finish his senior year of studies in elementary education, and to work as a graduate assistant with the Whales men's basketball team in the 1989–90 season.
Professional career
Lowery initially came to Australia to play for the Shoalhaven Tigers in New South Wales.{{cite news |title=Tigers' trip down memory lane |url=https://www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/995424/tigers-trip-down-memory-lane/ |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=southcoastregister.com.au |date=21 October 2008 |language=en-au |url-access=subscription}} He made his debut in the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) in 1992 for the Mildura Mavericks.{{cite web |title=Damon Lowery - Player Statistics SEABL 1992 |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=190854885&client=0-3363-0-210297-16890454 |website=GameDay |access-date=26 December 2024 |language=en}} He played a second season with Mildura in 1993.{{cite web |title=Damon Lowery - Player Statistics SEABL 1993 |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=190854885&client=0-3363-0-125743-16890454 |website=GameDay |access-date=26 December 2024 |language=en}}
Lowery joined the Ballarat Miners for the 1994 SEABL season and played five years for the Miners.{{cite web |title=Damon Lowery - Player Statistics SEABL 1994 |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=190854885&client=0-3363-36749-210255-4362813 |website=GameDay |access-date=26 December 2024 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Damon Lowery - Player Statistics SEABL 1995 |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=190854885&client=0-3363-36749-210274-4362813 |website=GameDay |access-date=26 December 2024 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Damon Lowery - Player Statistics SEABL 1996 |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=190854885&client=0-3363-36749-210247-4362813 |website=GameDay |access-date=26 December 2024 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Damon Lowery - Player Statistics SEABL 1997 |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=190854885&client=0-3363-36749-210266-4362813 |website=GameDay |access-date=26 December 2024 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Damon Lowery - Player Statistics SEABL 1998 |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=190854885&client=0-3363-36749-210301-4362813 |website=GameDay |access-date=26 December 2024 |language=en}} In the 1994 Australian Basketball Association (ABA) national final, he had 17 points and seven assists to help the Miners win the ABA national championship with a 104–81 win over the Cairns Marlins.{{cite web|url=http://seabl.com.au/index.php?id=257&tx_ttnews%5Byear%5D=2010&tx_ttnews%5Bmonth%5D=10&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=1539&cHash=6aad9c58f95b89efb4fb88e0a48c4828|title=FROM THE VAULT - 1994 CBA GRAND FINAL - BALLARAT v CAIRNS|work=SEABL.com.au|date=14 October 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324232011/http://seabl.com.au/index.php?id=257&tx_ttnews%5Byear%5D=2010&tx_ttnews%5Bmonth%5D=10&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=1539&cHash=6aad9c58f95b89efb4fb88e0a48c4828|archivedate=24 March 2017}} He helped the Miners win consecutive ABA national championships in 1995 with a 101–86 victory over the Frankston Blues in the final.{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Kyle |title='Never in doubt': Hayes reflects on national title 25 years on {{!}} WATCH |url=https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/6751420/never-in-doubt-hayes-reflects-on-national-title-25-years-on-watch/ |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=www.thecourier.com.au |date=10 May 2020 |language=en-au}} He joined the Kilsyth Cobras in 1999 and led the team in scoring with 24 points per game, as the Cobras won the SEABL East Conference final and were ABA national final runners up.{{cite news |title=Cobras back in Bendigo for Conference Final |url=https://www.kilsythbasketball.com.au/cobras-back-in-bendigo-for-conference-final/ |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=Kilsyth Basketball |date=3 August 2009}} He was named to the 1999 All-SEABL East Team.{{cite web |title=SEABL All Time Award Winners |url=http://www.seabl.com.au/uploads/media/SEABL_All_Time_Award_Winners.pdf |website=SEABL.com.au |access-date=26 December 2024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210224114/http://www.seabl.com.au/uploads/media/SEABL_All_Time_Award_Winners.pdf |archive-date=10 December 2014}} He played a second season for Kilsyth in 2000.{{cite web |title=Damon Lowery - Player Statistics SEABL 2000 |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=190854885&client=0-3363-126354-210283-16890001 |website=GameDay |access-date=26 December 2024 |language=en}} During his time in the SEABL, he was noted for his 85 per cent free throw accuracy.{{cite news |title=The Controversial Finish |url=http://botinagy.com/blog/the-controversial-finish/ |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=botinagy.com |date=19 October 2012}}
Lowery joined the Wollongong Hawks of the National Basketball League (NBL) for the 2000–01 season. In game three of the Hawks' semi-final series against the Adelaide 36ers, Lowery hit three free throws with no time left in the fourth quarter to lift the Hawks to a 109–108 victory and a 2–1 series win.{{cite news |last1=Barrow |first1=Tim |title=Lowery believes in Hawks' title destiny |url=https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/3748942/lowery-believes-in-hawks-title-destiny/ |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=Illawarra Mercury |date=24 February 2016 |language=en-au}} The Hawks went on to defeat the Townsville Crocodiles 2–1 in the grand final series to win the 2001 NBL championship.{{cite web |title=2000/01 - Wollongong Hawks : NBL Champions |url=http://www.hawkshistory.com.au/team-list/200001-wollongong-hawks-nbl-champions.html |website=hawkshistory.com.au |access-date=31 December 2024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309024938/http://www.hawkshistory.com.au/team-list/200001-wollongong-hawks-nbl-champions.html |archive-date=9 March 2011}} He was runner-up for NBL Rookie of the Year and NBL Best Sixth Man in his first season, and finished runner-up again for NBL Best Sixth Man in 2003. He played four seasons for the Hawks.{{cite web |title=Profile - Damon Lowery |url=http://www.hawkshistory.com.au/legends/profile-damon-lowery.html |website=hawkshistory.com.au |access-date=31 December 2024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512112321/http://www.hawkshistory.com.au/legends/profile-damon-lowery.html |archive-date=12 May 2012}} In January 2005, he joined the Hunter Pirates for the rest of the 2004–05 NBL season to cover for injured guard and co-captain Brendan Mann.{{cite news |title=Pirates snatch OT win |url=http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=matchreportdisplay&aid=1569 |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=NBL.com.au |date=2 January 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050312135638/http://www.nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=matchreportdisplay&aid=1569 |archive-date=12 March 2005}}{{cite web |title=Damon Lowery - Player Statistics NBL 2005 |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=194195533&client=0-8739-124033-199553-16569165 |website=GameDay |access-date=28 December 2024 |language=en}} Lowery played his final season in the NBL in 2005–06 for the Townsville Crocodiles.
Lowery returned to the Kilsyth Cobras for the 2005 SEABL season and was voted into the All-SEABL South Team. He then played out his career in the Big V between 2006 and 2013. He played for the Eltham Wildcats for five years in Championship Men between 2006 and 2010.{{cite web |title=Damon Lowery - Player Statistics Big V 2006 |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=191477805&client=0-7930-99150-113858-12880220 |website=GameDay |access-date=26 December 2024 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Damon Lowery - Player Statistics Big V 2007 |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=191477805&client=0-7930-99150-113869-12880220 |website=GameDay |access-date=26 December 2024 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Damon Lowery - Player Statistics Big V 2008 |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=191477805&client=0-7930-99150-113832-12880220 |website=GameDay |access-date=26 December 2024 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Damon Lowery - Player Statistics Big V 2009 |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=191477805&client=0-7930-99150-113892-12879774 |website=GameDay |access-date=26 December 2024 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Damon Lowery - Player Statistics Big V 2010 |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=191477805&client=0-7930-99150-153082-12879774 |website=GameDay |access-date=26 December 2024 |language=en}} He then played one year for the Bulleen Boomers in the 2011 Championship Men season;{{cite web |title=Damon Lowery - Player Statistics Big V 2011 |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=191477805&client=0-7930-99134-153094-14659378 |website=GameDay |access-date=26 December 2024 |language=en}} one year for the Hume City Broncos in the 2012 Championship Men season;{{cite web |title=Damon Lowery - Player Statistics Big V 2012 |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=191477805&client=0-7930-99140-209843-16875350 |website=GameDay |access-date=26 December 2024 |language=en}} and one year for the Camberwell Dragons in the 2013 Division One Men season.{{cite web |title=Damon Lowery - Player Statistics Big V 2013 |url=https://websites.mygameday.app/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=191477805&client=0-7930-99130-253035-18677144 |website=GameDay |access-date=26 December 2024 |language=en}}
During his playing career, Lowery became a naturalised Australian.{{cite news |title=WW - 36ers V Hawks, April 16, 2001 |url=http://www.botinagy.com/blog/ww---36ers-v-hawks-april-16-2001/ |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=botinagy.com}}{{cite news |title=Once, everyone needed one, or two |url=http://www.botinagy.com/blog/once-everyone-needed-one-or-two/ |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=botinagy.com}}
Coaching career
In 2018, Lowery served as an assistant coach with the Whittlesea Pacers women's team of the Big V Division One.{{cite news |last1=Murray |first1=Tara |title=Lowery new Whittlesea Pacers' women's coach |url=https://northern.starweekly.com.au/sport/lowery-new-whittlesea-pacers-womens-coach/ |work=starweekly.com.au |publisher=Northern |date=28 August 2018}} He was elevated to head coach of the Pacers women's team for the 2019 season, with Whittlesea having been promoted to Championship Women.{{cite news |title=2019 Big V Competition Structure Released |url=http://bigv.com.au/2019-big-v-competition-structure-released/ |access-date=28 December 2024 |url-status=dead |work=BigV.com.au |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111041817/http://bigv.com.au/2019-big-v-competition-structure-released/ |archive-date=11 November 2018}} In 2019, he held the position of the Whittlesea Pacers coaching director.{{cite news |last1=Tara Murray |title=Whittlesea Pacers coach in 3x3 glee |url=https://maribyrnonghobsonsbay.starweekly.com.au/sport/whittlesea-pacers-coach-3x3-glee/ |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=starweekly.com.au |publisher=Maribyrnong & Hobsons Bay |date=14 May 2019}} He returned to coach the Pacers' championship women in 2021.{{cite news |title=Pacers primed |url=https://ncreview.com.au/2021/03/09/pacers-primed/ |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=The North Central Review |date=9 March 2021 |language=en-AU}} After the team had a winless 2021 season, Whittlesea was set to drop back down to Division One in 2022 and Lowery was set to coach the women's side again, but due to low player numbers, no Pacers women's team was entered in the Big V in 2022.{{cite news |last1=Murray |first1=Tara |title=No women's team for the Pacers |url=https://northern.starweekly.com.au/sport/no-womens-team-for-the-pacers/ |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=starweekly.com.au |publisher=Northern |date=17 February 2022}}
In 2019, Lowery became part of the coaching staff of the Australia women's national 3x3 team. He served as an assistant coach under David Biwer in 2021.{{cite news |title=2021 Australian Women's 3x3 Squad prepare for Olympic Qualifiers |url=https://www.australia.basketball/news/3339150/2021-australian-womens-3x3-squad-prepare-for-olympic-qualifiers |access-date=28 December 2024 |work=Basketball Australia |date=3 February 2021 |language=en}} In 2024, Lowery served as head coach of the Gangurrus at the Paris Olympics.{{cite news |last1=Nancekivell |first1=Lewis |title=Maverick Lowery gets shot at Olympic glory |url=https://www.sunraysiadaily.com.au/basketball/6296184/maverick-lowery-gets-shot-at-olympic-glory |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=Sunraysia Daily |date=26 July 2024 |language=en-AU}} He was re-appointed head coach of the Gangurrus in March 2025,{{cite news |title=3x3 Coaches Announced |url=https://www.australia.basketball/news/4229050/3x3-coaches-announced |access-date=10 March 2025 |work=www.australia.basketball |date=3 September 2025 |language=en}} leading the team to the 2025 FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Mongolia.{{cite news |title=Gangurrus named for FIBA 3x3 World Cup |url=https://www.australia.basketball/news/4287566/gangurrus-named-for-fiba-3x3-world-cup |access-date=16 June 2025 |work=www.australia.basketball |date=16 June 2025 |language=en}}
Personal life
Lowery's daughter, Isis, is a former collegiate gymnast for the Oregon State Beavers.{{cite web |title=Isis Lowery - Women's Gymnastics |url=https://osubeavers.com/sports/womens-gymnastics/roster/isis-lowery/7534 |website=Oregon State University Athletics |access-date=27 December 2024 |language=en}}
In 2021, Lowery joined the National Basketball League's broadcast team.
Notes
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20051224142243/http://nbl.com.au/default.aspx?s=crocodiles_playerprofile&profile=110 NBL profile (2005)]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20010617184800/http://www.nbl.com.au/players_details/v3/0,2214,157,00.htm NBL profile (2001)]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20071223055738/http://www.nblstats.com/players.php?playerid=10711 nblstats.com profile]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120512112321/http://www.hawkshistory.com.au/legends/profile-damon-lowery.html hawkshistory.com.au profile]
{{Wollongong Hawks 2000–01 NBL champions}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lowery, Damon}}
Category:American expatriate basketball people in Australia
Category:American men's basketball players
Category:Australian men's basketball players
Category:Basketball players from Michigan
Category:Hunter Pirates players
Category:Townsville Crocodiles