Sam Bowie

Sam Bowie is an American former professional basketball player who played ten seasons in the National Basketball Association. In 1985, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team while playing with the [[Portland Trail Blazers]. He has also played with the New Jersey Nets and Los Angeles Lakers.

Player Profile

Samuel Paul Bowie was born on March 17, 1961, in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, United States of America. Standing 7 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 235 pounds during his playing career.

Bowie played as a center and shot right-handed.

High School and College Career

Bowie attended Lebanon High School in Pennsylvania, where he became one of the top high school players in the country and was named a McDonald’s All-American and First-Team Parade All-American in 1979.

He played college basketball at the University of Kentucky from 1979 to 1984, where he was a consensus Second-Team All-American in 1981 and a Second-Team All-American by the Associated Press in 1984. Bowie’s college career was interrupted by serious leg injuries, but he returned to help lead Kentucky to the 1984 Final Four and had his No. 31 jersey retired by the Wildcats.

Professional Career

Bowie was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the second overall pick in the 1984 NBA Draft, ahead of Michael Jordan.

He played five seasons with the Trail Blazers, showing flashes of his potential when healthy but missing significant time due to injuries. Bowie later played for the New Jersey Nets from 1989 to 1993.

He finished his career with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1993 to 1995, retiring after ten NBA seasons.

Career Highlights

• 1985 – NBA All-Rookie First Team
• 1981 – Consensus Second-Team All-American
• 1984 – Second-Team All-American (AP)
• 1979 – McDonald’s All-American
• 1979 – First-Team Parade All-American

No. 31 jersey retired by Kentucky Wildcats