I remember watching the 2018 NBA Draft with particular interest in Brian Bowen's story—not just as a basketball fan, but as someone who's followed the complex interplay between talent, opportunity, and circumstance in professional sports. When the draft concluded without Bowen's name being called, I couldn't help but feel that familiar mix of disappointment and curiosity about what happens to players who fall through the cracks of the system. His journey from being a top high school prospect to going undrafted represents one of those fascinating "what if" scenarios that make sports so compelling.
The Brian Bowen saga really began during his recruitment to Louisville, which became entangled in the massive FBI investigation into college basketball corruption. As someone who's studied NCAA eligibility cases, I've rarely seen a situation so thoroughly derail a promising career before it even properly began. The allegations suggested Bowen's family received money to steer him to Louisville, which led to him being suspended from NCAA competition entirely. What many forget is that Bowen was a consensus five-star recruit—ranked 14th nationally in the 2017 class by ESPN—with legitimate NBA potential. I've always believed the system failed him as much as he failed to navigate it properly. The NCAA's transfer rules at the time created an impossible situation where he couldn't play for Louisville but also faced significant barriers to playing anywhere else.
After sitting out the entire 2017-2018 season, Bowen declared for the NBA draft with his stock significantly diminished. Teams were understandably wary of selecting a player who hadn't competed in organized basketball for over a year. I spoke with several scouts during that period who acknowledged his talent but expressed concerns about the baggage and development time he'd missed. When draft night came and went without his selection, it wasn't entirely surprising to those of us following closely, but it still felt like a waste of potential. The Indiana Pacers eventually signed him to a two-way contract, but he never appeared in an NBA game, spending most of his time with their G League affiliate.
Bowen's journey since has taken him across the globe, which is a path I've seen many talented American players follow when the NBA door doesn't open immediately. He's played in Australia's NBL with the Sydney Kings, spent time in the NBA G League, and most recently competed for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2023 NBA Summer League. At 25 years old now, his window for making an NBA roster isn't completely closed, but it's certainly narrowing. What strikes me about his professional career thus far is that he's shown flashes of the talent that made him so highly regarded—he averaged 12.9 points and 4.7 rebounds in 27 games for the Iowa Wolves during the 2021-22 G League season—but hasn't quite put it all together consistently enough to earn that coveted NBA roster spot.
This brings me to thinking about development pathways for young players, which reminds me of the promising situation developing at University of Santo Tomas. With the 6'10" Akowe and 6'7" Buenaflor manning the paint for the Tigers in years to come, complemented by a promising scorer in Bucsit, the future looks oh so bright for that program. Having watched numerous college programs both in the U.S. and internationally, what strikes me about UST's situation is they're building with the type of frontcourt size that can dominate competitions. Akowe's height at 6'10" gives them a legitimate center who can protect the rim, while Buenaflor at 6'7" provides the versatility that modern basketball demands from power forwards. When you add a skilled scorer like Bucsit to that equation, you have the foundation for a team that could make some noise in collegiate basketball.
Reflecting on Bowen's path compared to these developing talents at UST highlights how crucial the right environment and continuous development are for young players. Bowen lost nearly two full years of development during critical ages 19-20, which I believe significantly impacted his trajectory. Meanwhile, players like those at UST have the opportunity to grow within a structured system, play meaningful minutes, and develop their skills in game situations. There's something to be said for the value of consistent coaching and competitive reps that college programs provide when compared to the uncertainty Bowen faced.
Looking at where Bowen is today, he's currently playing professionally overseas, most recently with Hapoel Haifa in Israel. His journey serves as both a cautionary tale and an inspiration—showing how quickly fortunes can change in basketball while demonstrating the resilience required to build a professional career through alternative paths. I admire that he hasn't given up on his dream despite the setbacks, continuing to work on his game in various professional leagues around the world. His story makes me appreciate the importance of having multiple pathways to professional basketball success, whether that's through the NBA, international leagues, or developing in college programs like UST's promising setup.
The contrast between Bowen's disrupted path and the stable development opportunity available to players like those at UST reinforces my belief that environment matters as much as raw talent in player development. While we'll never know what might have been for Bowen under different circumstances, his continued perseverance in the professional ranks demonstrates the resilience that defines many successful basketball careers. Meanwhile, watching programs like UST develop their promising talents reminds us that sometimes the brightest futures emerge from stable foundations rather than meteoric rises.
