'She's More Than a Shooter': Lowery urges Capitals to expand Atwell's game

Following Amy Atwell's standout FIBA 3x3 World Cup campaign, Damon Lowery has urged new UC Capitals coach Paul Goriss to unlock more of the Paris Olympian's game in WNBL27.

Already regarded as one of Australia's elite shooters, Atwell announced herself on the world stage in Warsaw, leading the Gangarrus to their best ever tournament finish - runners-up after a 20-21 defeat in the Final against the United States. 

Having led the entire World Cup in scoring, 3x3 Head Coach and WNBL expert Damon Lowery said Atwell is ready for a bigger challenge with her new side. 

“Amy is an absolute cheat code. And we've known this in the WNBL. Like watching her do that in WNBL over the years, she's been here. It is no surprise to us. But the world now knows who Amy Atwell is,” Lowery said. 

“The one thing I challenged her on is, and I would challenge the WNBL and her new coach, Paul Gorris, Canberra Capitals. She's more than what you think she is.

“In 3x3, there's a lot of space on the court, there's nowhere to hide. Amy does not get the respect that she deserves on the defensive end. I said to Amy, ‘we need to make this more of a focal point because everybody just looks at your shooting’.”

Taking on some of the world's best scorers in Poland, Atwell proved her defensive worth by using her athleticism and height at 6’0” to switch between players and contest shots – thriving in the relentless pace of 3x3 basketball.

Lowery said Atwell's basketball IQ underpins her defensive growth, becoming one of the de facto leaders of the silver medallist team. 

“It might take you a hundred words to say it. Amy can say it in ten words and just get straight to the point,” he said.

“[She was] a great, underrated leader, and she was fantastic for us. Amy's leadership is perfect in the balance of what she has around her.”

As a world-class shooter heading into a retooling UC Capitals team, the team will be centered around Atwell, coming off a bounce-back season, averaging 15.7 points. 

With rising star Nyadiew Puoch alongside her, Atwell enters WNBL27 as Canberra's centrepiece. After proving she can dominate on the world stage, the challenge now is whether she can carry the Capitals back to the finals for the first time since 2022?