Sam Bowie was a professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for ten seasons. He was born on March 17, 1961, in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and grew up in a family of basketball players. His father, Jack, played college basketball, and his older brother, Jack Jr., played in the NBA.
Bowie attended the University of Kentucky, where he played basketball for three seasons. He was a dominant force on the court, averaging 17.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. He was named an All-American in his junior year and was considered one of the top prospects in the 1984 NBA draft.
The Portland Trail Blazers selected Bowie with the second overall pick in the draft, behind Hakeem Olajuwon. Bowie was expected to be a franchise player for the Trail Blazers, but his career was plagued by injuries. He missed his entire rookie season due to a stress fracture in his leg, and he played in only 63 games over the next two seasons.
Bowie's best season came in 1988-89, when he averaged 14.7 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. However, he missed the entire 1989-90 season due to a broken leg. He returned to the court in 1990-91 but played in only 33 games due to recurring leg injuries.
Bowie was traded to the New Jersey Nets in 1992, where he played for two seasons. He was a solid contributor for the Nets, averaging 10.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in his first season with the team. However, he missed 31 games in his second season due to injuries.
Bowie played his final season in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1995. He played in only 45 games that season, averaging 4.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
Despite his injury-plagued career, Bowie is remembered for being a talented player who had the potential to be one of the best in the NBA. He was a skilled big man who could score and rebound, and he was known for his ability to run the floor and finish with authority.
Bowie's career was overshadowed by the fact that he was selected ahead of Michael Jordan in the 1984 NBA draft. Jordan went on to become one of the greatest players in NBA history, while Bowie struggled with injuries throughout his career.
Despite the disappointment of not living up to his potential, Bowie remained positive and grateful for his time in the NBA. He retired from basketball in 1995 and went on to work in the horse racing industry.
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