Dr Dave Adkins and why he should be in the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame
February 14, 2021
Ray Owes
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 11/12/72
- Place of Birth: San Bernardino, California (USA)
- Position: F/C
- Height (CM): 204
- Weight (KG): 102
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: Arizona (1991–1995)
- NBL DEBUT: 13/04/96
- AGE AT DEBUT: 23
- LAST NBL GAME: 23/12/01
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 29
- NBL History: Geelong 1996 | Townsville 1998, 2002
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Ray Owes was born in San Bernardino, California (USA).
NBL EXPERIENCE
Ray Owes made his NBL debut with the Geelong Supercats at 23 years of age. He scored 22 points in his first game.
1996 would see coach Jim Calvin replaced by up-and-coming coach Ian Stacker, with the team overhauling its roster. Major moves included securing Rupert Sapwell (via South East Melbourne) and Matt Scalzi (via Adelaide) to fill the departures of David Graham and Justin Cass, and bringing in powerhouse import Ray Owes to replace Jeff Arnold. Owes was joined by returning guard Joey Wright, who was injured after just two games and replaced by high-scoring Orlando Williams.
Ray Owes stood out as one of the league’s most dominant frontcourt players, averaging (22.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) across 25 games and earning All-NBL First Team honours.
Owes opened the season with 22 points and 14 rebounds against Newcastle on April 13, then followed with 25 points and 15 boards against Wollongong a week later. He delivered his first 20-rebound game on May 10, posting 28 points and 22 rebounds against North Melbourne. On June 22, he had 26 points and 17 rebounds in a win over the Giants, and added another dominant showing against Adelaide on June 28 with 20 points and 20 rebounds. He hit 30 points for the first time against Canberra on August 10 and scored 33 with 10 rebounds against Wollongong on July 27. His consistency was unmatched, adding 27 points and 15 rebounds in a home win over Townsville on August 3 and delivering a 22-rebound performance in his penultimate game on September 16 against the Magic.
His defining performance came on August 24 in a road game against Townsville, where he erupted for 40 points (15-of-24 FG, 10-of-17 FT), 22 rebounds (11 offensive), 4 blocks, 3 assists, and 2 steals in a narrow 119–116 loss. The next night, in what would be Geelong’s final NBL home win, Owes followed up with 33 points, 26 rebounds, and 3 blocks on 13-of-19 shooting and a perfect 7-of-7 from the line in a 131–93 demolition of the Gold Coast. Orlando Williams added 32 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds in the win, which marked the final NBL victory for both Geelong and the Rollers, who exited the league at season’s end.
In the final game of the season and the last in franchise history, the Supercats fell to Sydney 100–94 at the Entertainment Centre on September 28. Owes tallied 15 points and 6 rebounds in the farewell contest. Despite the loss, Rupert Sapwell led Geelong with 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Simon Kerle recorded 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. The Kings secured the win behind Shane Heal (25 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals) and Isaac Burton (25 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals).
Throughout the campaign, Owes was a nightly double-double threat, with standout games including 33 points and 10 rebounds against Wollongong on July 27, and a 26-point, 17-rebound effort in a win over North Melbourne on June 22. He produced eight games with at least 17 rebounds, including a 20-rebound night against Adelaide and 18 versus Brisbane. His scoring range and physical dominance made him the league’s most impactful big man across the year.
Despite the influx of talent, the Supercats endured a difficult campaign, finishing 13th with a 6–20 record and ultimately handing back their NBL licence at season’s end due to financial strain and league restructuring.
Despite the Supercats’ struggles, Owes remained a consistent force, leading the team in scoring, rebounding, and interior presence. Alongside Orlando Williams (23.5 points), Simon Kerle (17.0 points, 5.2 assists), and Rupert Sapwell (11.7 points, 6.3 rebounds), Owes formed the core of Geelong’s offensive identity. As the club exited the league, Ray Owes’ commanding 1996 campaign was a standout individual performance that provided a final spark for a proud but fading franchise.
TOWNSVILLE SUNS
1998
After falling agonisingly short of their first-ever playoff berth in 1997 due to Clarence Tyson’s late-season injury, the Townsville Suns entered the 1998 NBL season with renewed determination.
Head coach Mark Bragg returned for his sixth year, bringing back the bulk of the core group including captain Derek Rucker, Simon Kerle, Tony De Ambrosis, Jason Cameron, Grant Kruger, Keiron Mitchelhill, and Brad Davidson. The only significant changes came in the frontcourt with the retirement of Shane Froling and Clarence Tyson remaining unavailable with his knee injury.
To fill these gaps former Geelong import Ray Owes was added, alongside rookie Travis Lindstrom.
The season began promisingly with a road upset over the Perth Wildcats (89–87). Derek Rucker (34 points and 6 assists), Ray Owes (19 points and 13 rebounds) and Simon Kerle (14 points) leading the offensive attack. Perth’s Ricky Grace (21 points and 8 assists) stood out for the home side.
Despite this strong start, inconsistency soon crept in – by early March the Suns had slumped to a 2–6 record, digging themselves into an early hole.
Rucker still delivered spectacular individual nights, none more so than his 51-point outburst on 19-of-26 shooting against Brisbane (116–98), led by legend Leroy Loggins (37 points). Rucker buried 11 threes in a dazzling display, with Simon Kerle (26 points) and Ray Owes (12 points and 11 rebounds) providing strong support.
A few weeks later, the Suns pulled out another victory over the Bullets (103–102), led by Rucker (23 points and 10 assists), Kerle (20 points), and Owes (12 points and 9 rebounds), while Steve Woodberry (28 points) top scored for Brisbane.
Momentum gathered in May when Townsville stunned the defending champion Melbourne Tigers at Melbourne Park (114–96). Rucker (26 points and 15 assists), Owes (13 points and 9 rebounds), and Tony De Ambrosis (21 points and 9 rebounds) all producing solid games. Melbourne was carried by Lanard Copeland (23 points), but Townsville’s depth and ball movement overwhelmed the Tigers.
The Suns also produced a thrilling 113–108 home win over Sydney, highlighted by Simon Kerle’s season-high 35 points, the briliance of Rucker (29 points and 11 assists) and David Pennisi (14 points) having a major impact off the bench.
Ray Owes established himself as one of the league’s premier frontcourt players. During a two week stretch in May games he dropped 38 points and 13 rebounds in a loss to Adelaide (105–117), duelling opposing forward Kevin Brooks (25 points), then dropped 37 points and 13 rebounds against Illawarra (98–113) in an offensive masterclass against the Hawks Elliott Hatcher (36-points). His consistency inside made him a force throughout the year, giving Rucker the partner he needed in the absence of Tyson.
Despite these highs, Townsville’s season was marred by streaky form. A number of marquee wins kept them in the playoff conversation, but they could not sustain momentum. A three-game losing streak to close out the regular season extinguished their playoff hopes. Townsville finished the 1998 campaign in ninth place with a 12–18 record.
Derek Rucker (27.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 2.7 steals) was brilliant once again, leading the NBL in assists while ranking second in scoring and steals. Ray Owes (19.1 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks) dominated the glass, finishing as the league’s rebounding champion and third in blocks. Simon Kerle (18.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists) gave Townsville a reliable third scoring option.
Individually, Rucker and Owes were both named to the All-NBL First Team, with Rucker also earning club MVP honours.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001-02 | 29 | Townsville | 13-17 (9) | 8 | 156.0 | 51 | 39 | 3 | 8 | 31 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 19 | 18 | 47 | 38% | 6 | 8 | 75% | 9 | 13 | 69% | 48% | 45% | 18 |
| 1998 | 25 | Townsville | 12-18 (9) | 30 | 1,122.0 | 572 | 379 | 52 | 104 | 275 | 11 | 52 | 98 | 119 | 212 | 447 | 47% | 5 | 19 | 26% | 143 | 188 | 76% | 53% | 48% | 38 |
| 1996 | 23 | Geelong | 6-20 (13) | 25 | 1,088.0 | 554 | 349 | 43 | 111 | 238 | 23 | 50 | 83 | 99 | 222 | 430 | 52% | 2 | 20 | 10% | 108 | 151 | 72% | 55% | 52% | 40 | Totals | 63 | 2366 | 1177 | 767 | 98 | 223 | 544 | 34 | 107 | 193 | 237 | 452 | 924 | 48.9% | 13 | 47 | 27.7% | 260 | 352 | 73.9% | 55% | 50% | 40 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001-02 | 29 | Townsville | 13-17 (9) | 8 | 19.5 | 6.4 | 4.9 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 3.9 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 2.4 | 2.3 | 5.9 | 38% | 0.8 | 1.0 | 75% | 1.1 | 1.6 | 69% | 48% | 45% | 18 |
| 1998 | 25 | Townsville | 12-18 (9) | 30 | 37.4 | 19.1 | 12.6 | 1.7 | 3.5 | 9.2 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 3.3 | 4.0 | 7.1 | 14.9 | 47% | 0.2 | 0.6 | 26% | 4.8 | 6.3 | 76% | 53% | 48% | 38 |
| 1996 | 23 | Geelong | 6-20 (13) | 25 | 43.5 | 22.2 | 14.0 | 1.7 | 4.4 | 9.5 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 3.3 | 4.0 | 8.9 | 17.2 | 52% | 0.1 | 0.8 | 10% | 4.3 | 6.0 | 72% | 55% | 52% | 40 | Total | 63 | 37.6 | 18.7 | 12.2 | 1.6 | 3.5 | 8.6 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 3.1 | 3.8 | 7.2 | 14.7 | 48.9% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 27.7% | 0.2 | 0.7 | 73.9% | 55% | 50% | 40 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 40 | 26 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
Owes played 57 games in the NBA. He averaged 3.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 0.3 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- September 30, 1996: Signed as a free agent with the Golden State Warriors.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 91% | 69% | 60% | 98% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 40 | 5 | 3 | 7 | ||||||
| Total | 452 | 924 | 48.9% | 13 | 47 | 27.7% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-97 | 24 | Golden State | PF | 57 | 1 | 592 | 177 | 163 | 15 | 64 | 99 | 15 | 20 | 23 | 86 | 75 | 180 | 1 | 5 | 26 | 46 | 44% | 42% | Total | 57 | 1 | 592 | 177 | 163 | 15 | 64 | 99 | 15 | 20 | 23 | 86 | 75 | 180 | 42% | 1 | 5 | 20% | 26 | 46 | 57% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-97 | 24 | Golden State | PF | 57 | 1 | 10.4 | 3.1 | 2.9 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 3.2 | 42% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 44% | 42% | Total | 57 | 1 | 10.4 | 3.1 | 2.9 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 3.2 | 42% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 20% | 0.5 | 0.8 | 57% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Italy - Siena (1998)
Name: Owes, Ray | college: Arizona (1991–1995)| Additional Info: Ray Owes played for the University of Arizona from 1991–92 through 1994–95 under head coach Lute Olson, and during his time in college he was used as a small forward while developing from a limited-minute freshman into a primary frontcourt scorer and rebounder by his senior year.
As a freshman in 1991–92, Owes averaged 2.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.3 assists per game for an Arizona team that finished 24–7 overall and was upset in the first round of the NCAA tournament by East Tennessee State, 87–80.
In his sophomore season in 1992–93, Owes jumped to 7.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game, helping Arizona win the Pac-10 regular-season title during a year the Wildcats reeled off a 19-game winning streak before falling in the first round of the NCAA tournament to Santa Clara, 64–61, in a widely noted upset that featured Steve Nash on the Broncos roster.
Owes became a major piece of Arizona’s front line as a junior in 1993–94, nearly averaging a double-double at 12.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game while helping the Wildcats win the Pac-10 regular-season championship and reach the Final Four, advancing with a 92–72 win over Missouri before losing 91–82 to Arkansas.
As a senior in 1994–95, Owes was shifted to small forward in Arizona’s lineup and led the Wildcats at 15.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, including a 21-point performance in a 92–76 win over La Salle on December 12, 1994.
That 1994–95 Arizona team finished 14–4 in Pac-10 play and entered the NCAA tournament as a No. 5 seed, but was upset in the opening round by No. 12 Miami (OH), 71–62, closing Owes’ college career on a tournament surprise similar to the program’s early exits in 1992 and 1993.
Despite his size for the position, Owes played small forward at Arizona from 1991–95 and was named first-team All-Pac-10 in 1995, capping his senior season as one of the conference’s top wings.
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