Micah Downs
Micah Downs | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 8, 1986 United States |
| Occupation | Professional basketball player (retired) |
| Years active | 2009–2022 |
Micah Philip Downs (born September 8, 1986) is a retired American professional basketball athlete who established a noteworthy career internationally. His playing tenure was predominantly spent in elite European competitions such as Spain's Liga ACB, France's LNB Élite, the VTB United League, and Portugal's Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol.
College career
Downs operated mainly as a small forward during his collegiate years, initially with the Kansas Jayhawks before transferring and completing his degree at Gonzaga University. He was selected for the West Coast Conference (WCC) All-Tournament Team twice, in 2007 and 2009, and earned the title of WCC All-Tournament MVP in 2009.
Professional career
After going undrafted in the 2009 NBA draft, Downs participated in the 2009 Las Vegas NBA Summer League with the Phoenix Suns. His rookie professional season took place with Croatia’s KK Zadar, where he averaged 7.6 points per game (ppg) in the NLB League and 11.0 ppg in the Eurocup, maintaining a field goal percentage exceeding 50%. While playing for the Leuven Bears, he recorded averages of 12.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per contest.
During the 2010–2011 LEB Oro season, Downs competed for Ford Burgos in Spain’s second-tier league, earning recognition on the All-LEB Oro team. He also took part in the 2010 Las Vegas NBA Summer League representing the Milwaukee Bucks.
In July 2011, Downs signed with Assignia Manresa competing in Spain’s premier division, where he averaged 13.4 points and 4 rebounds per game. His impressive performance earned him the distinguished ACB Rising Star Award during his inaugural ACB season.
On November 1, 2012, he became a member of the Maine Red Claws in the NBA D-League and was selected for the Futures All-Star roster at the 2013 NBA D-League All-Star Game before leaving the team in April 2013.
Downs agreed to a one-year contract with Ukrainian side Budivelnyk Kyiv in July 2013 but parted ways by November of that year. In January 2014, he signed with the Erie BayHawks.
In July 2014, Downs joined Russia’s BC Avtodor Saratov. The following season, he transferred to Italy’s Juvecaserta Basket for 2015–16.
On June 23, 2016, Downs signed with French Pro A club Orléans Loiret Basket for the 2016–17 Pro A season. He returned to Avtodor Saratov in May 2017.
September 2018 saw Downs sign with Portuguese outfit S.L. Benfica, where he averaged 12.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game during the 2019–20 campaign. In October 2020, he secured a short-term two-month contract with Germany’s s.Oliver Würzburg as an injury replacement.
On January 20, 2021, Downs inked a deal with Sporting Clube de Portugal competing in Portugal’s top division and renewed his contract with them in July.
Most recently, on October 21, 2022, he signed with FC Barreirense, participating in Portugal’s Proliga competition.