(SAN DIEGO) PLNU Men's Basketball Head Coach has been selected as one of the Top 50 Most Impactful Head Coaches in NCAA Division II Men's Basketball, as announced by Silver Waves Media.
 
The award recognizes the "leadership, sustained success, and meaningful impact" that these coaches have on their "student-athletes, programs, and the Division II basketball community."
 
After spending one season as PLNU Men's Basketball Assistant Coach in 2022-23, Downer is now in his fourth year leading the Sea Lions.
 

Setting the Standard at The Point! 🦭 Head Coach Justin Downer has been named one of the Top 50 Most Impactful NCAA DII Men's Basketball Head Coaches by Silver Waves Media. A well-deserved honor for the leader of our program! #GoSeaLions x #ThePoint 🟢🟡 https://t.co/tObClRJS0d

— Point Loma Basketball (@plnubasketball) November 11, 2026

 
As head coach, he has led Point Loma to a 77-23 (.770) record, as well as to three consecutive PacWest championships, two straight conference tournament titles and back-to-back NCAA Division II West Regional championship game appearances.
 
The program had a 100% undergraduate retention rate his first three seasons at the helm, while this year PLNU is believed to be the only team to have four players who have previously started games returning for their fourth or fifth years with the program.
 
Point Loma returns to the court this weekend at the PacWest/CCAA Conference Challenge in Carson, beginning on Friday against Cal State San Bernardino at 4 p.m.

For the full list of honorees, click HERE.