Lukas Says ‘Thanks Mom’ O’Dowd Knows Who To Credit For His Success

Lukas O’Dowd is a momma’s boy - and proud of it.

He has a father. He just doesn’t know who he is. And that’s OK with him.

When it comes to his mother, the Coeur d’Alene High School basketball standout’s face lights up as if he’s about to put the exclamation point on a breakaway dunk.

“I don’t think any other mom could have done it, could have raised me by herself,” the 6-foot-6 junior said.

Shortly after O’Dowd was born nearly 17 years ago in Tucson, Ariz., his father “gave up all parental rights to me,” O’Dowd said.

He has no desire to see his father, who lives in Arizona. That’s why last year he took on his mother’s maiden name.

“It was a good time to get my roots straightened out and to give honor to my mother,” he said. “Why go by a name that’s never had a part of your life?”

O’Dowd’s name is well-known in basketball circles, though, where hard work the past two years has complemented existing talent.

CdA coach Larry Bieber promoted O’Dowd to varsity two games into his freshman year. He adjusted nicely to his role off the bench, averaging 5.3 points per game.

His scoring nearly tripled last season (14.8). In five games this year, O’Dowd is averaging 19 points, 7.4 rebounds and nearly three blocks.

He had a career-high 28 points against Nampa two weeks ago. Last weekend in a 79-65 loss to second-ranked Eagle, O’Dowd scored 24 points and met his average in the other departments.

In between Nampa and Eagle, however, he scored a season-low eight points in a loss at Central Valley. He was 2 of 13 from the field, 0 for 9 inside the 3-point arc.

That explains why his overall shooting percentage is just 1 percent higher than his 3-point accuracy (50 percent). It also highlights the area of his game that’s most improved - from 12 feet to beyond 19.

“He’s still tough inside, teams still have to try to double-team him down low, but he’s now an outside threat,” Bieber said. “If teams don’t cover him outside he’ll drill it.”

O’Dowd has the freedom to shoot the 3-pointer.

“He needed to develop (outside) range because he’s going to be a wing in college,” Bieber said.

O’Dowd certainly impressed Eagle coach Dennis Kerfoot.

“He’s possibly the best post player in the state and my two (posts) are right there with him,” Kerfoot said. “He’s just going to get better.”

Lake City coach Jim Winger concurs.

“I like the way he shoots the ball for a kid his size; he has a great touch,” Winger said. “I’ve liked him since he was a freshman. He showed me he was the real thing as a freshman, and that’s awfully hard to do as a freshman.”

One of O’Dowd’s career highlights came as a freshman against LC. The Viks were off-the-board underdogs when they upset the Timberwolves 73-58 in the first game between the schools.

O’Dowd came off the bench to score 12 points.

“I like to watch him play - except when he plays us,” Winger quipped.

O’Dowd is his biggest critic.

He gives himself a passing grade through one-fourth of the season, saying he has much room for improvement.

His problem areas are: defense (“out on the perimeter”); ballhandling (“it’s my weakest athletic skill”); strength (“I’m lifting weights, but I’ve got to get stronger”); and mental preparation (“I’m a negative thinker; I can get intimidated real easy”).

“My biggest challenge comes when I’m playing bad,” said O’Dowd, who pauses for long stretches to ponder questions. “If my mental game comes along, the other things will come along.”

O’Dowd appreciates being considered one of the best posts in the state. But he wants to become THE best.

“I expect to play at an even higher level next year,” he said. “It’ll be a whole new grading scale.”

He praises Bieber and his adopted godfather and family friend, Phil Colozzi, for positive influences on his life.

“They’ve been like fathers to me,” O’Dowd said. “I really wanted a father early in my life, but my mom has always taken care of me. I should show her a little more often what she means to me.”

Perhaps he has, by succeeding in basketball and also in life.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo