Dampier was born in Southport, Indiana and attended Southport High School, where he was a three-time All-State selection. He then attended the University of Kentucky, where he was a three-time All-SEC selection and a two-time All-American.
Dampier was drafted by the San Diego Rockets in the 1967 NBA Draft, but he chose to play in the ABA instead. He played for the Kentucky Colonels from 1968 to 1976, and he was the team's all-time leading scorer with 11,344 points. He was a seven-time ABA All-Star and was named the ABA MVP in 1975.
Dampier was also a great shooter, making over 40 percent of his three-point attempts. He was known for his quick release and accuracy, and he was one of the first players to make the three-point shot a regular part of his game.
Dampier was also a great passer, averaging over five assists per game for his career. He was a great leader on the court, and he was known for his ability to make his teammates better.
Dampier was a key member of the Colonels' 1975 ABA championship team, and he was named to the ABA All-Time Team in 1997. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, and his number 10 jersey was retired by the Colonels in 2016.
Louie Dampier is one of the greatest players in ABA history, and his career is a testament to his skill, leadership, and dedication to the game of basketball.
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