The Gangurrus women didn't become a 3x3 powerhouse overnight.
When Damon Lowery joined the Gangurrus coaching staff in 2019, he quickly discovered there was far more to the sport than he realised.
“I didn’t know they had Asia Cups,” he laughed.
"There's basketball and then there's 3x3 basketball."
But fast forward seven years, the now head coach is preparing to lead Amy Atwell, Lara McSpadden, Emma Clarke and Marena Whittle into the Gangurrus' second Commonwealth Games campaign.
"We're the favourites," Lowery stated.
"I want us to go through Glasgow and just wreak absolute carnage.”
Since claiming bronze behind Canada and England in Birmingham four years ago, the Gangurrus have established their place among the world’s top 3x3 nations, but Lowery said the team’s rise has never been built on crafty skills alone.
"There’s a whole bunch of talent out there, but not all talent can play together," he said.
"I've got to bring in good quality people... unselfish people, good teammates. I don't get seduced by talent alone anymore."
That culture has become one of the Gangurrus' defining strengths, earning the program global respect and leaving one comment proudly etched in Lowery's memory.
"One coach went up to my girls after a tournament and said, 'My team has talent, but they don't have your heart...'
"'You guys just don't ever give up.'"
As the Gangurrus prepare to open their Glasgow 2026 campaign against Kenya tonight, Lowery has no interest in downplaying the team's ambitions.
"We've won the last four Asia Cups. We've medalled twice at World Cups. We've just won two Women's Series stops," he said.
"Why shouldn't we expect to win?"
Catch the Gangurrus as they take on Kenya at 7:25 PM AEST tonight live on Seven and 7plus Sport.
