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Sam Bowie

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This article is about the basketball player. For the rugby league player, seeSam Bowie (rugby league).

Sam Bowie
Bowie playing during the 1985 NBA Playoffs
Personal information
Born(1961-03-17)March 17, 1961(age 63)
Lebanon, Pennsylvania,U.S.
Listed height7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High schoolLebanon(Lebanon, Pennsylvania)
CollegeKentucky(1979–1984)
NBA draft1984:1st round, 2nd overall pick
Selected by thePortland Trail Blazers
Playing career1984–1995
PositionCenter
Number30, 31
Career history
1984–1989Portland Trail Blazers
1989–1993New Jersey Nets
1993–1995Los Angeles Lakers
Career highlights and awards
Career NBA statistics
Points5,564 (10.9 ppg)
Rebounds3,845 (7.5 rpg)
Blocks909 (1.8 bpg)
Statsat NBA.comEdit this at Wikidata
Statsat Basketball Reference

Samuel Paul Bowie(born March 17, 1961) is an American former professionalbasketballplayer. A national sensation in high school and outstanding collegian and Olympic team member, Bowie's professional promise was undermined by repeated injuries to his legs and feet. In spite of the setbacks, the 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) and 235 lb (107 kg)centerplayed ten seasons in theNational Basketball Association(NBA).

Projected as a solid first-rounder in the1984 NBA draft,Bowie was chosen by thePortland Trail Blazersas the second selection, ahead ofMichael Jordan.

Early life

[edit]

Bowie was born on March 17, 1961, as the son of Ben Bowie and Cathy "Sammy" Bowie. His father was 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) and had played basketball for theHarlem Magiciansfor six seasons. Bowie's parents divorced when he was 12. After the divorce, Bowie lived with both of his parents inLebanon, Pennsylvania.Concerned about not showing favoritism toward either parent, he then lived with his maternal grandmother until going to college.

Bowie was a sophomore in college when his father died suddenly, aged 45, when a cyst on his lung burst.[1]Of his father Ben, after he died, Bowie said, "We loved each other more than two individuals could. But we never could say, 'I love you.' Neither of us was that kind of person. That's the thing I'm most sorry about, that I didn't get to tell him I loved him before he was gone."[1]

High school career

[edit]

Bowie attendedLebanon High SchoolinLebanon, Pennsylvania.He played on its basketball team under Coach Chick Hess. Bowie, as Hess described, "He's a father. He's responsible. He's got a head on his shoulder. He just doesn't have two legs that are serving him well. He adjusted to the big-time world. He grew up with blue-collar people who knew what it was like to work for a living. We're all proud of him. He got what he could out of playing pro sports."[2]

A star player, Bowie was heavily recruited.[2]He averaged over 28 points and 18 rebounds per game, and was aMcDonald'sandParadeAll-American.As a junior, he led the Cedars to the state finals, where they lost by a point toSchenley High SchoolofPittsburgh."When I say this, I mean it with all my heart, from the Kentucky experience to all of my years in pro ball, when I reminisce I go back to my Lebanon Cedar days," said Bowie in 2018. "I just wish we could've won that state championship game. Fifty-one to fifty, we were so close."[2]

Bowie was named national player of the year in 1979. He received the honor overHarrisonburg, Virginia'sRalph Sampson,another highly recruited center. Sampson and Bowie played in the annualCapital Classicall-star game, which was dubbed the "Battle of the Giants" Played at theCapital Centre,the game featured the best players in the Washington, D.C. area playing against an all-star squad composed of players from across the United States.

In February, 1979 aSports Illustratedmagazine article feature focused on Bowie, Sampson andSteve Stipanovichas the best high school centers.[3][4]

Bowie played in the 1979McDonald's All-American Game.The memorable rosters included:Antoine Carr,Quintin Dailey,Sidney Green,Clark Kellogg,Greg Kite,Sidney Lowe,John Paxson,Ralph Sampson,Byron Scott,Steve Stipanovich,Isiah Thomas,Dereck Whittenburg,Dominique WilkinsandJames Worthy.[5][6]

College career (1979–1984)

[edit]
Bowie's #31 jersey was retired by the University of Kentucky. This banner inRupp Arenahonors him.

Bowie signed to play for theUniversity of Kentucky,under CoachJoe B. Hall,in 1979.

Freshman season (1979–1980)

[edit]

As a freshman during the 1979–80 season at Kentucky, Bowie averaged 6.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. Kentucky finished 29–6 and advanced to the1980 NCAA tournament.Bowie had 13 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks in Kentucky's 97–78 victory over Florida State. He played nine minutes, fouling out with 2 points and 3 rebounds in a 55–54 loss to Duke.[7][8][9]

Sophomore season (1980–1981)

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Bowie's sophomore season saw him average 17.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game. He was named a third-teamNCAA Basketball All-Americanby theAssociated Press.In 1981, he set, and now shares, the Kentucky record for most blocked shots in a game, with nine against St. John's.[10][11]

However, Bowie began sustaining injuries that would plague the remainder of his basketball career.[12]In the third-to-last game of his sophomore season against Vanderbilt, Bowie went up for a dunk but came down off balance. He landed with most of his weight on his left leg, saying that he felt pain but initially tried to play through it. Kentucky qualified for the 48-team1981 NCAA tournamentas the #2 seed in the Mideast Region, with a first-round bye. In the Wildcats' first game of the tournament, against #7 seedAlabama-Birmingham,Bowie fouled out, playing 21 minutes, as Kentucky was eliminated by UAB 69–62.[13]

Injuries (1981–1983)

[edit]

After the 1980–1981 season, a stress fracture in his left tibia was discovered, the injury caused Bowie to miss the entire 1981–82 season. The stress fracture did not heal completely and Bowie sat out the entire 1982–83 season as well. Doctors at first thought the pain in the left leg was due to shin splints, but just before the season in 1981, new X-rays revealed Bowie had a stress fracture he had been playing on. He was in a cast for 44 weeks. But, after removing the cast, the injury did not heal properly. Bowie had to have it surgically repaired, with a bone graft.[1]As his class had graduated, Bowie applied for and was granted an NCAA medicalredshirtto allow him another year of college eligibility.[14]

Senior season (1983–1984)

[edit]

Bowie returned for the 1983–84 season. Having not played in two years, he played in all 34 Kentucky games and averaged 10.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks. He was named to theAssociated Presssecond-teamAll-American team.During his senior season, his heroics in a game against rivalLouisvilleearned him a spot on the cover ofSports Illustrated.Bowie, along with fellow "Twin Tower"Melvin Turpin(as the Kentucky frontcourt duo was called), andKenny Walkerled Kentucky to the SEC championship, the SEC Tournament Championship, a top-three national ranking, and a 26–4 season record.[15]

In the1984 NCAA tournament,the Wildcats defeatedBrigham Young93–68, in-state rivalLouisville72–67 andIllinois54–51 to advance to the Final Four inSeattle.Bowie had 16 points and 6 rebounds against BYU, 8 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks against Louisville and 11 points and 14 rebounds against Illinois.[16][17]

In the Final Four, Kentucky met eventual NCAA ChampionGeorgetown,withPatrick Ewingin the semi-finals. Kentucky led at the half, but Georgetown defeated the Wildcats 53–40, ending Bowie's college career. Bowie had 10 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks in the loss. Ewing had 8 points and 9 rebounds with 0 blocks.[18][19]

In 96 career games at Kentucky, Bowie averaged 13.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 1.4 assists on 69.9% shooting. Bowie played 3 seasons in five years.[20]

1980 Olympic team

[edit]

In the summer of 1980, Bowie was selected for theUnited States Olympic men's basketball team.The 1980 United States Olympic team was coached byDave Gavittand assisted byLarry Brown.[21]The 1980 US team was the youngest American national team ever assembled. Alongside Bowie were team membersMark Aguirre,Rolando Blackman,Michael Brooks,Bill Hanzlik,Alton Lister,Rodney McCray,Isiah Thomas,Darnell Valentine,Danny Vranes,Buck WilliamsandAl Wood.[22]

TheSoviet invasion of Afghanistancaused the United States and 66 other countries toboycottthe1980 Summer Olympicsin Moscow.[23]Unable to compete in the Olympics due to the boycott, Team USA played a series of games against NBA all-star teams in various US cities, ending with a 5–1 record. The games were labeled the "Gold Medal Series".[21]In the six games against NBA All-Stars, Bowie wasTeam USA's second-leading scorer and leading rebounder and shot-blocker, averaging 11.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks. Bowie was 19 years old while playing on Team USA.[21]

Many years later, he received one of 461Congressional Gold Medalscreated especially for the 1980 athletes.[24]

NBA career

[edit]

1984 NBA draft

[edit]

Entering the1984 NBA draft,although theHouston Rocketshad tied with theIndiana Pacersfor the NBA's worst record, the Pacers had traded the top pick to thePortland Trail Blazersin 1981 for centerTom Owens.In 1984, having beat the Blazers in a coin toss for first pick, the Rockets choseHoustoncenterHakeem Olajuwon.Unable to choose him, yet still seeking a center, the Blazers chose Bowie.[25]Choosing third, theChicago Bullsthen draftedNorth Carolinashooting guardMichael Jordan.[26]

At the time, picking Bowie made sense from the Blazers' perspective. The team had not had a solid big man sinceBill Walton,one of its first major stars, left in 1979. Soon before the draft, the NBA fined the Blazers $250,000 (equivalent of $730,000 in 2018) for improper contact with Olajuwon and centerPatrick Ewing.A year earlier, Portland had drafted a shooting guard, Olajuwon's college teammateClyde Drexler.Having both Drexler andJim Paxson,the Blazers had little need on paper for another shooting guard.[27]Still, in 2005, highlighting Bowie's injury-laden college career, ESPN named the Blazers' choice the worst draft pick in the history of North American professional sports.[28]Also that year, arguing that teams should draft for talent and not need,Sports Illustratednamed Bowie the biggestdraft bustin NBA history.[29]

Portland Trail Blazers (1984–1989)

[edit]

During hisrookie season,Bowie played in 76 games and averaged 10 points and 8.6 rebounds, earning a spot on theNBA All-Rookie Team.[30]However, inhis second season,Bowie's leg injuries recurred. During a game against theMilwaukee BucksatThe MECCA,Bowie and teammateJerome Kerseybecame entangled going for a rebound, and as they landed, Bowie's left tibia broke. He was carried off the floor on a stretcher.

"I firmly believe I can be one of the top centers in the league if I'm healthy," said Bowie. "One year, things are going to fall into place, and I'm going to show people how good I can be."[31]

The next season,Bowie returned. In the season's fifth game against theDallas Mavericks,Bowie went up for a jump hook shot. As he went up, his legs buckled underneath him and Bowie fell to the floor. He suffered a season-ending fracture of his right tibia. Bowie compared the feeling having his leg chopped by an ax.[1]"It was not a pretty sight," Portland teammate Clyde Drexler recalled. "He went to make a move, fell, and threw the ball down hard off the court. I remember seeing part of the bone sticking out of his leg and how he was beating the floor over and over with his fist."[1]

Bowie's subsequent surgery utilized three screws being placed in the bone to keep it together. However, two screws did not hold, so another operation was needed to put in three new screws.[1]

Once again, Bowie came back to play. On October 17, 1987, during pregame warmups for a preseason game with theCleveland Cavaliers,Bowie began feeling intense pain in his right leg just walking. Not wanting a stretcher, Bowie was carried off the court by his teammates and was diagnosed with a hairline fracture of his right tibia.[14][32]On March 29, 1988, Bowie had surgery where he received a graft from his hip bone and had a metal plate with 10 screws permanently attached to his right shin.[33]The injury effectively sidelined him for the next two seasons; he missed all of the 1987–88 season, as well as the first 62 games of the 1988–89 season. All told, Bowie played 63 games out of a possible 328 during his last four seasons in Portland.

"I have one huge regret," said Bowie. "I wish I would've been more patient and didn't come back as quickly as I did the second year I fractured my leg. You feel like you disappointed Portland. You're getting paid a lot of money and you can't play. I don't know if it's guilt or regret. But I've never been one to say, 'Why me?'. I feel I should have an MD behind my name from all the education I've received from my own cases."[1][2]

New Jersey Nets (1989–1993)

[edit]

On June 24, 1989, Bowie, who had averaged 10.5 points per game with the Trail Blazers, was traded, along with a draft pick, to theNew Jersey Netsin exchange forBuck Williams.

Bowie's four seasons in New Jersey were his most productive, as he had no major injuries. Bowie averaged 12.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game and never missed more than 20 games in a season. His best season was his first with the Nets where he averaged a double-double with 14.7 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Bowie also hit a career-high in points per game in 1991–92 with 15.0 and played a career-high 79 games in 1992–93 averaging 9.1 points per game and seven rebounds.

"My main objective is to play the game for the fun of it and the love of it," said Bowie, "Every time I go off the court, I'm thankful I didn't get hurt again. I think too many people take their health for granted.[33]

A 2013Bleacher Reportarticle listed Bowie as the 17th greatest Nets player up till that point.[34]

Los Angeles Lakers (1993–1995)

[edit]

After the 1992–93 season, Bowie was traded forBenoit Benjamin,being sent from New Jersey to theLos Angeles Lakers.[35]However, Bowie's leg injury problems recurred. Bowie played in 92 games in the two seasons combined, starting in 17 of them. AlthoughJerry West,the team's general manager, wanted Bowie to continue to play for the Lakers, Bowie decided to retire from professional basketball after the1994–95season. He desired to follow his passion and become involved inharness racing.[36]

Career overview

[edit]

Bowie,Bill Walton,andGreg Odenare frequently cited together. All three were centers, drafted high by Portland, who failed to achieve their potential due to career-altering injuries.[37]

"You know, I go speak and visit at hospitals a lot—and not to sound mushy—but I've seen 7-, 8-, 9-year-old kids who have had their legs amputated because of bone cancer or a car accident," Bowie said. "That's when it puts things into perspective. There's a kid who wishes he had a leg to break. That's when I realize how lucky I am. I can't complain about the hand I've been dealt. Sure, I've had my share of surgery and broken bones, but these things were meant to be. I'm a Christian and I've always felt that tomorrow is predetermined and that you will never be put through more than you can handle."[33]

Over his NBA career, Bowie averaged 10.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.78 blocks per game.[35]He hit 45.2% of his attempted field goals (2,127 made of 4,702 attempted), and 30.2% of histhree-point shots(32 made of 106 attempted).[38]

Post-basketball endeavors

[edit]

For a time, Bowie performedcolor commentaryfor University of Kentucky Basketball.[2]

After he retired from basketball, Bowie returned to Lexington, Kentucky. Bowie is involved inharness racing,both owning and training horses that run atThe Red Milein Lexington.

Personal life

[edit]

Bowie has been married twice. He has three now-grown children. "I was blessed in the sense that I was able to be a full-time father." Bowie said.[33][2]

Bowie married Stephanie Bowie in April 2018 in La Fortuna, Costa Rica.[39]

In 2012, Bowie was featured in anESPNSEC Storieddocumentary,Going Big.[36]In it, he admitted hiding the extent of his leg troubles from the Blazers. For instance, he said that when a doctor tapped his left tibia with a mallet, he claimed not to feel anything when he was actually in noticeable pain. He developed leg trouble as early as high school; film from the late 1970s shows him struggling to avoid undue strain on his legs and feet.[14]

Honors

[edit]
  • Bowie was inducted into the University of Kentucky Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005.[40]
  • Bowie's number 31 was retired by Kentucky Basketball in 2002.[41]

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
GP Games played GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
FG% Field goalpercentage 3P% 3-point field goalpercentage FT% Free throwpercentage
RPG Reboundsper game APG Assistsper game SPG Stealsper game
BPG Blocksper game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

NBA

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Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1984–85 Portland 76 62 29.2 .537 .000 .711 8.6 2.8 .7 2.7 10.0
1985–86 Portland 38 34 29.8 .484 .000 .708 8.6 2.6 .6 2.5 11.8
1986–87 Portland 5 5 32.6 .455 .000 .667 6.6 1.8 .2 2.0 16.0
1988–89 Portland 20 0 20.6 .451 .714 .571 5.3 1.8 .4 1.7 8.6
1989–90 New Jersey 68 54 32.5 .416 .323 .776 10.1 1.3 .6 1.8 14.7
1990–91 New Jersey 62 51 30.9 .434 .182 .732 7.7 2.4 .7 1.5 12.9
1991–92 New Jersey 71 61 30.7 .445 .320 .757 8.1 2.6 .6 1.7 15.0
1992–93 New Jersey 79 65 26.5 .450 .333 .779 7.0 1.6 .4 1.6 9.1
1993–94 L.A. Lakers 25 7 22.2 .436 .250 .867 5.2 1.9 .2 1.1 8.9
1994–95 L.A. Lakers 67 10 18.3 .442 .182 .764 4.3 1.8 .3 1.2 4.6
Career 511 349 27.6 .452 .302 .748 7.5 2.1 .5 1.8 10.9

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1985 Portland 9 9 28.8 .441 .000 .560 8.4 2.3 .4 2.3 7.3
1989 Portland 3 1 22.3 .429 .500 .750 6.7 1.0 .2 2.3 10.3
1992 New Jersey 4 4 28.0 .424 .500 .667 4.8 2.3 .8 .8 9.3
1993 New Jersey 3 3 23.7 .444 .000 1.000 4.0 .7 2.0 .3 3.3
1995 L.A. Lakers 10 0 13.5 .267 .000 1.000 3.3 .3 .1 .9 2.1
Career 29 17 22.2 .403 .500 .673 5.5 1.3 .5 1.4 5.7

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1979–80 Kentucky 34 — 26.1 .531 — .764 8.1 .8 .4 2.1 12.9
1980–81 Kentucky 28 — 32.0 .520 — .720 9.1 1.4 .6 2.9 17.4
1983–84 Kentucky 34 — 28.8 .516 — .722 9.2 1.9 .6 1.9 10.5
Career 96 — 28.8 .522 — .735 8.8 1.4 .5 2.3 13.4

References

[edit]
  1. ^abcdefgHoward-Cooper, Scott (April 30, 1989)."STANDING TALL: Despite All of His Falls, Bowie Is Grateful He Still Has Two Legs to Stand On".Los Angeles Times.
  2. ^abcdefWalter, Eric J. (March 23, 2018)."Sam Bowie is One of Us".Lebanon Sports Buzz.
  3. ^"Stipanovich Seems To Be Gaining on His" Legacy'".NewsOK.com.January 19, 1983.
  4. ^Newman, Bruce (February 19, 1979)."They fill a tall order".SI.com; Sports Illustrated.
  5. ^"Murphy: What happened to the players after the 1979 McDonald's All American Game?".ESPN.com.March 26, 2009.
  6. ^"McDonald's High School Basketball All American Teams".Basketball-Reference.com.
  7. ^"Sam Bowie Statistics".basketball-reference.com.Sports Reference, LLC.RetrievedDecember 21,2008.
  8. ^"Kentucky vs. Duke Box Score, March 13, 1980".
  9. ^"Kentucky vs. Florida State Box Score, March 8, 1980".sports-reference.com.
  10. ^"St. John's vs. Kentucky – Game Recap – December 1, 2011 – ESPN".ESPN.com.Archived fromthe originalon October 5, 2017.
  11. ^"Sam Bowie College Stats".
  12. ^Kirkpatrick, Curry (December 5, 1983)."The Big Cat Came To Play".Sports Illustrated.Archived fromthe originalon June 26, 2009.RetrievedDecember 21,2008.
  13. ^"Sam Bowie 1980–81 Game Log".
  14. ^abcDwyer, Kelly.Sam Bowie reveals that he lied to Portland about feeling leg pain before the infamous 1984 NBA draft.Yahoo! Sports,December 12, 2012.
  15. ^"1983–84 Kentucky Wildcats Roster and Stats".College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
  16. ^"1983–84 Kentucky Wildcats Schedule and Results".College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
  17. ^"Sam Bowie 1983–84 Game Log".
  18. ^Millan, Manny (December 5, 1983)."Sam Bam!".Sports Illustrated.Archived fromthe originalon May 2, 2008.RetrievedDecember 21,2008.
  19. ^"Kentucky vs. Georgetown Box Score, March 31, 1984".College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
  20. ^"Sam Bowie College Stats".Sports-Reference.com.
  21. ^abc"Games of the XXIInd Olympiad – 1980".usab.com.Archived fromthe originalon April 29, 2015.
  22. ^"USAB: Games of the XXIInd Olympiad – 1980".USAbasketball.com.Archived fromthe originalon August 7, 2012.RetrievedAugust 8,2012.
  23. ^"2000 Olympic Games: Tournament for Men".fiba.com.RetrievedAugust 27,2010.
  24. ^Caroccioli, Tom; Caroccioli, Jerry (2008).Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games.Highland Park, Illinois: New Chapter Press. pp. 243–253.ISBN978-0942257403.
  25. ^DuPree, David (November 26, 1984). "Trail Blazers don't regret bypassing Jordan".USA Today.p. 6C.
  26. ^"Michael Jordan".National Basketball Association.RetrievedJanuary 15,2007.
  27. ^Sakamoto, Bob (November 25, 1984). "Portland GM is happy with Bowie".Chicago Tribune.p. B2.
  28. ^"Page 2: The 100 worst draft picks ever".ESPN.
  29. ^"SI.com – Photo Gallery – NBA Draft Busts".CNN.Archived fromthe originalon June 27, 2005.
  30. ^"All-Rookie Teams".NBA.com.National Basketball Association.RetrievedDecember 21,2008.
  31. ^Howard-Cooper, Scott (April 30, 1989)."STANDING TALL: Despite All of His Falls, Bowie Is Grateful He Still Has Two Legs to Stand On"– via LA Times.
  32. ^"Bowie Breaks Leg Again—in Same Place—Before Exhibition – Los Angeles Times".
  33. ^abcdHoward-Cooper, Scott (April 30, 1989)."STANDING TALL: Despite All of His Falls, Bowie Is Grateful He Still Has Two Legs to Stand On"– via LA Times.
  34. ^"Ranking the Top 25 Players in Brooklyn Nets History",Bleacher Report,Frank Cesare, August 21, 2013. The top three Nets players listed are 3. Buck Williams, 2. Julius Erving, and 1. Jason Kidd.
  35. ^abOden's recovery from surgery likely in the range of 6–12 months,published September 13, 2007,
  36. ^ab"Sam Bowie talks on ESPN film 'Going Big'".ESPN.com.December 20, 2012.
  37. ^"Greatest Sports What Ifs".SI.com, Sports Illustrated.
  38. ^"Basketball-Reference.com".RetrievedJuly 29,2009.
  39. ^"Stephanie Barlett and Samuel Bowie's Wedding Website".theknot.com.RetrievedOctober 29,2020.
  40. ^"Sam Bowie (2005) – UK Athletics Hall of Fame".University of Kentucky Athletics.
  41. ^"Retired Jerseys".bigbluehistory.net.
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