BIO: Demitrius Conger was born in Brooklyn, New York (USA). He spent three years at Covenant Christian Academy in Cumming, Georgia. He averaged 18 points per game as a junior in 2007/08 en route to leading the Crusaders to a 20–9 record and a National Association of Christian Athletes (NACA) Elite League Championship.

As a senior in 2008/09, he averaged 24 points per game and was named to the NACA All-Tournament team.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Demitrius Conger made his NBL debut with the Illawarra Hawks at 27 years of age. He scored 17 points in his first game.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS
2017/18
After finishing fourth with a 15-13 record and reaching the 2017 NBL Grand Final, where they were swept by Perth, Illawarra lost imports Marvelle Harris (to Team Challenge ALS) and Michael Holyfield (to Beijing Dongfang). Former NBL MVP Rotnei Clarke returned, while on August 11, 2017, the Hawks signed Demitrius Conger (via Antwerp Giants) and added Delvon Johnson (via Sodertalje Kings) to complete the roster. Coach Rob Beveridge had targeted a bigger wing during the off-season, saying, “I always said we needed a stud three-man, and I feel very confident that we’ve found him.”

Illawarra opened the season against Cairns at the Cairns Convention Centre on October 6, where their new import (17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal, and a block) made an immediate impact, but the Hawks fell short 88-87 despite Ogilvy (22 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal, and a block) and Clarke (22 points), while Loughton (19 points) led the Taipans.

Conger (19.7 points and 5.7 rebounds across 27 games) quickly established himself as Illawarra’s leading scorer and one of the league’s premier imports, shooting 52 per cent from the field and 41 per cent from three while providing the athleticism and versatility Beveridge had been searching for.

On November 16, Illawarra came from 16 points down after three quarters to defeat Sydney 97-93 in overtime at WIN Entertainment Centre behind Conger (16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals), Clarke (19 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Ogilvy (19 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks), while Randle (28 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists) led Sydney. Conger was later charged with striking Brad Newley during a hard screen and received a one-game suspension.

Breaking news. @illawarrahawks forward Demitrius Conger suspended for striking Brad Newley in #SYDatILL. More at https://t.co/ytaJ12pjyw #NBL18 pic.twitter.com/ULFJuh72bj— NBL (@NBL) November 20, 2017

He served the suspension against Melbourne on December 4, which was the only game he missed all season and was not injury-related. With Illawarra also losing its starting centre to a groin injury before the game, Clarke (24 points) and Ellis (14 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists) led an undermanned Hawks side in a 91-73 loss at Hisense Arena, while Prather (18 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and a block) led Melbourne.

Conger’s best game of the season came against Brisbane on December 31, finishing with 24 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals as Illawarra defeated the Bullets 104-82 at WIN Entertainment Centre for its third consecutive win. Clarke (21 points) and Kay (16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals) provided support, while Trice (32 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists) led Brisbane.

His best scoring game came against Adelaide on January 21, where Conger (31 points and 5 rebounds) made all four of his three-point attempts, with Kay (14 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks) and Martin (10 points and 5 assists) also contributing, but Shorter (22 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals) led the 36ers to a 112-93 victory.

Alongside Conger, Clarke (18 points across 25 games), Kay (11.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals across 28 games), Ogilvy (9.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 22 games), Norton (7.8 points across 19 games), Coenraad (6.9 points across 28 games), Ellis (6.7 points across 20 games) and Martin (5.9 points and 1.3 steals across 28 games) were Illawarra’s major contributors. Johnson (4.4 points and 4.6 rebounds across 28 games) remained with the Hawks for the entire season after being recruited for his defence and rim protection, with no mid-season import change made. Kevin White served as captain, while Oscar Forman played his final NBL season. Conger finished second in league MVP voting with 94 votes behind Bryce Cotton’s 117 and was selected to the All-NBL First Team.

Demitrius Conger was electric ⚡️

Check out his best plays in the NBL 👀 pic.twitter.com/ACLeNmGpdo— NBL (@NBL) May 23, 2024

Illawarra’s finals hopes ended on February 4 when New Zealand defeated the Hawks 88-84 at Spark Arena and locked in the league’s top four. Conger (5 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and a block) struggled offensively, while Clarke (22 points) and Norton (14 points) led Illawarra and Newbill (20 points) led the Breakers.

Illawarra closed its season at Hisense Arena on February 18, where Conger (20 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals), Kay (27 points and 7 rebounds) and Coenraad (24 points and 6 rebounds) defeated regular-season champion Melbourne 94-84, while Boone (14 points) led United. The Hawks finished fifth with a 12-16 record.

ADELAIDE 36ERS
2018/19
After narrowly missing out on the NBL championship the previous season, losing the deciding fifth game of the Grand Final series to Melbourne 100-82, Adelaide was forced into rebuilding mode following the departure of second-leading scorer Mitch Creek (to Long Island Nets). During the off-season, Creek had been given approval to play in Germany with the understanding he would return, but his performances overseas attracted NBA interest. Adelaide filed an injunction to stop Basketball Australia approving an NBA deal without compensation before the two parties eventually reached a resolution allowing Creek to pursue his NBA dream.

Other departures included Shannon Shorter (to Japan), Josh Childress (retired) and Matthew Hodgson (to Brisbane). Adelaide signed Jacob Wiley (via Germany) as Creek’s replacement, added point guard Adris De León to provide additional scoring and playmaking and brought in Harry Froling (via Marquette) and Jack McVeigh (via Nebraska) from college. Nathan Sobey, Majok Deng, Adam Doyle, Brendan Teys and import Ramone Moore returned, while Daniel Johnson took over as team captain.

Adelaide began the season 3-5 before a calf injury to Moore added to the team’s problems. De León was told his position was under pressure heading into Adelaide’s next game against Sydney, but despite producing 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, the 36ers suffered their fourth consecutive loss and he was released. Adelaide responded by signing Demitrius Conger (via Le Mans) as its third US import on November 13. Conger had spent the previous season with Illawarra, where he led the NBL in scoring, finished second in MVP voting and was named to the All-NBL First Team before playing with Boston at NBA Summer League and joining Le Mans in France. “My job is to come in and help the team in any way possible, if that’s scoring, playing defence, rebounding and just trying to contribute and fit in. Just try to help them win games however that may be,” he said.

Conger made his Adelaide debut four days later against his former team and finished with 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists off the bench as the 36ers defeated Illawarra 104-79 and snapped their four-game losing streak. Johnson (16 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) and Wiley (16 points, 10 rebounds, and 1 block) helped Adelaide collect its fourth win of the season, while Todd Blanchfield was Illawarra’s leading scorer.

Conger (11.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists across 19 games) appeared in every game following his arrival and did not miss a game through injury, with his nine missed games coming before he had joined Adelaide. After coming off the bench in his first three appearances, he moved into the starting line-up and started each of the 36ers’ final 16 games.

One of Conger’s best games came against Illawarra on November 25, where he finished with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists off the bench as the Hawks defeated Adelaide 120-109. Sobey (16 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) and Moore (15 points and 6 assists) provided support, while Blanchfield (24 points and 5 rebounds) led Illawarra.

After moving into the starting line-up, Conger helped Adelaide put together four consecutive wins during December and return to the top four before the 36ers again struggled for consistency. He produced another of his best performances against Illawarra on January 10, making seven of eight shots to finish with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals as Adelaide defeated the Hawks 102-96. Sobey (23 points and 6 assists) and Moore (22 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals) led the scoring, while Brian Conklin (22 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block) was Illawarra’s best.

Conger’s highest-scoring game of the season came two days later against Brisbane, where he made 10 of 16 shots and finished with 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, but the Bullets came from 11 points behind late in the third quarter to defeat Adelaide 102-90. Johnson (18 points and 9 rebounds) and Froling (14 points and 3 rebounds) provided support, while Cameron Gliddon (22 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block) led Brisbane.

Johnson (17 points and 6.8 rebounds across 28 games) and Sobey (16.1 points, 5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists across 28 games) remained Adelaide’s two leading scorers and were both selected to the All-NBL Second Team. Wiley (12.3 points and 4.9 rebounds across 28 games), Moore (9.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists across 19 games), Drmic (9.3 points and 4.6 rebounds across 28 games), Froling (7.9 points and 4.6 rebounds across 28 games) and Deng (7.6 points across 28 games) were the team’s other major contributors, with Froling named NBL Rookie of the Year.

Demitrius Conger was electric ⚡️

Check out his best plays in the NBL 👀 pic.twitter.com/ACLeNmGpdo— NBL (@NBL) May 23, 2024

Adelaide entered its final game against Perth needing a win to guarantee a playoff berth and led by as many as 16 points during the first half before the Wildcats recovered to win 93-85 at RAC Arena. Conger (10 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists), Johnson (23 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Drmic (18 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 steals) led Adelaide, while Bryce Cotton (29 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals) led Perth. Brisbane claimed fourth place on points percentage, leaving Adelaide fifth with a 14-14 record.

Demitrius Conger played two seasons in the NBL, playing for both the Illawarra Hawks and the Adelaide 36ers. He averaged 16.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 46 NBL games.