Tom Wilson
July 23, 2020
Brian Bowen
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 2/10/98
- Place of Birth: Saginaw, Michigan (USA)
- Position: SF
- Height (CM): 201
- Weight (KG): 86
- Junior Assoc:
- College: Arthur Hill High School (Saginaw, Michigan)
NBL CAREER OVERVIEW
NBL DEBUT
13/10/18
Age 20
LAST NBL GAME
3/03/19
Age 20
TEAM HISTORY
1 seasons | 1 team- 2019SK
Sydney Kings1 season
CHAMPIONSHIPS
NoneNICKNAME/S: Tugs
BIO: Brian Bowen was born in Saginaw, Michigan (USA).
NBL EXPERIENCE
Brian Bowen made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 20 years of age. He scored 13 points in his first game.
After finishing seventh with an 11-17 record in 2017/18 and missing the playoffs for a fifth consecutive season, Sydney retained Andrew Gaze for a third season as coach and overhauled the roster. Perry Ellis (to Cantù), Jason Cadee (to Brisbane), Todd Blanchfield (to Illawarra), Tom Garlepp (retired) and Isaac Humphries (to Atlanta) departed, while Jerome Randle re-signed alongside Kevin Lisch and Brad Newley. The Kings added Andrew Bogut following 13 seasons in the NBA, including winning the 2015 championship with Golden State, Daniel Kickert (via Brisbane), David Wear (via Osaka Evessa), Deng Deng (via McKinnon), Kyle Adnam (via Melbourne) and Tom Wilson (via Melbourne), while becoming the first NBL team to utilise the league’s new Next Stars program by adding a highly-rated McDonald’s All-American prospect.
On August 7, Bowen signed with Sydney as the first player contracted under the NBL’s Next Stars program after the NCAA ruled him ineligible for the 2018/19 college season. The former Louisville and South Carolina recruit had been ranked No. 14 in ESPN’s 2017 Top 100 and attracted interest from all eight NBL teams before choosing Sydney, with the move allowing him to begin his professional career while preparing for the NBA Draft.
“I am honoured to be the first player under the NBL’s Next Stars program,” he said.
The rookie’s first experience against professional opposition included Sydney’s NBLxNBA game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Hawaii on September 30, where he finished with 3 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block off the bench as the Kings remained competitive for much of the game before losing 110-91.
The 20-year-old made his NBL debut against Adelaide at Qudos Bank Arena on October 13 and finished with 13 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 block in 17 minutes, providing one of Sydney’s strongest contributions off the bench during a 94-83 loss.
Bowen (6.3 points and 3.2 rebounds across 30 games) showed flashes of his potential throughout his first professional season, using his athleticism and length as a slasher and defender while providing energy from Sydney’s bench. He appeared in all 28 regular-season games and both semifinals and did not miss a game through injury.
His best game of the season came against Melbourne at Hisense Arena on November 24, where Bowen (15 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) made four of eight shots and set his season-high in scoring as Sydney nearly completed a fourth-quarter comeback before Melbourne escaped with an 84-82 victory on a late tip-in.
Another important performance came against New Zealand at Qudos Bank Arena on January 11, where Bowen (12 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist) scored all 12 of his points in the fourth quarter as Sydney defeated the Breakers 100-92. His late scoring provided the Kings with the spark they needed to close the game, with Gaze saying afterwards, “I thought he was huge.”
Bowen (13 points and 2 rebounds) provided another offensive spark in Brisbane on February 1, making four of six shots and both of his three-point attempts in only 11 minutes as Sydney defeated the Bullets 95-93 and continued its push for a top-four finish.
A week later, Bowen (12 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal) made four of seven shots and both of his three-pointers in only 14 minutes as Sydney defeated defending champion Melbourne 97-85 at Qudos Bank Arena, ending a 10-game losing streak against United.
Sydney completed the regular season against Cairns on February 16, where Bowen (8 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block) contributed off the bench as the Kings defeated the Taipans 89-84 and completed an 18-10 regular season, finishing third and reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
Randle (17.9 points and 4.2 assists across 29 games) led Sydney in scoring and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, while Lisch (14.1 points, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals across 29 games) remained one of the league’s strongest two-way guards. Bogut (11.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.7 blocks across 30 games) anchored the interior and was awarded the Andrew Gaze Trophy as NBL Most Valuable Player, named Best Defensive Player and selected to the All-NBL First Team. Newley (10.8 points and 4.6 rebounds across 30 games), Kickert (9.4 points across 30 games), Wear (6.9 points and 3.9 rebounds across 30 games) and Adnam (6.7 points across 30 games) provided the remaining major support. Bowen finished second in Rookie of the Year voting behind Harry Froling, receiving 35 votes, while his professional contract had also made him automatically eligible for the 2019 NBA Draft at season’s end. Before the playoffs began, it was confirmed Gaze would leave Sydney at the completion of the season.
Melbourne opened the semifinals at Melbourne Arena with a 95-73 win, with Bowen (2 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks) contributing across 14 minutes while Newley (17 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists), Lisch (13 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Randle (13 points) led Sydney. Casper Ware (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists) and DJ Kennedy (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals) led Melbourne to a 1-0 series lead.
Game two moved to Qudos Bank Arena, where Bowen (5 points and 6 rebounds) played 13 minutes while Lisch (13 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists), Adnam (13 points), Ray Turner (12 points and 3 rebounds) and Bogut (10 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks) led Sydney. Ware (30 points and 5 rebounds) and Chris Goulding (23 points and 3 assists) carried Melbourne to a 90-76 victory and completed the semifinal sweep.
Brian Bowen played one season in the NBL. He averaged 6.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.7 assists in 30 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 20 | Sydney | 18-10 (3) | 30 | 461 | 189 | 95 | 20 | 28 | 67 | 7 | 9 | 24 | 39 | 64 | 142 | 45% | 13 | 38 | 34% | 48 | 63 | 76% | 56% | 50% | 15 | Totals | 30 | 461 | 189 | 95 | 20 | 28 | 67 | 7 | 9 | 24 | 39 | 64 | 142 | 45.1% | 13 | 38 | 34.2% | 48 | 63 | 76.2% | 56% | 50% | 15 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 20 | Sydney | 18-10 (3) | 30 | 15.4 | 6.3 | 3.2 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 4.7 | 45% | 0.4 | 1.3 | 34% | 1.6 | 2.1 | 76% | 56% | 50% | 15 | Total | 30 | 15.4 | 6.3 | 3.2 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 4.7 | 45.1% | 0.4 | 1.3 | 34.2% | 1.6 | 2.1 | 76.2% | 56% | 50% | 15 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 15 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
|---|
NBA EXPERIENCE
After playing for the Sydney Kings in the 2018/19 NBL season, Brian Bowen II went undrafted in 2019 and joined the Indiana Pacers on a two-way contract, splitting time with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. In 2019/20 he played 29 G League regular-season games (28 starts), averaging approximately 16.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists. On 23 February 2020, Fort Wayne reported a career-high 34-point performance against Canton; he reached double figures in 23 of his 29 games.
In the shortened 2020/21 G League season, Bowen played 15 games for Fort Wayne (11 starts), averaging approximately 12.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists. He also made 12 NBA regular-season appearances for Indiana across 2019/20 and 2020/21, six each season; those NBA games were separate from his G League appearances.
Bowen later played with the Iowa Wolves and was acquired by the Cleveland Charge in January 2024. On 20 February 2024 the Stockton Kings acquired him. Bowen appeared in 19 Stockton post-Showcase regular-season games during 2023/24, averaging 3.2 points and 2.3 rebounds, and in two postseason games averaging 2.5 points and 2.0 rebounds. During 2024/25, he played 13 Showcase Cup games for Stockton (6.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game), then 27 regular-season games (6.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist). He appeared in four 2025 G League playoff games during Stocktons championship run, averaging 4.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists. Across the 2024 and 2025 G League playoffs he played six games, averaging 3.7 points and 5.0 rebounds, separate from both the Showcase Cup and regular-season figures.
Bowen played 12 games in the NBA. He averaged 0.8 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0 assists per game over his NBA career.
NBA TRANSACTIONS:
- July 1, 2019: Signed a two-way contract with the Indiana Pacers.
- November 21, 2020: Became a free agent after his previous Indiana Pacers two-way contract ended.
- November 27, 2020: Signed a two-way contract with the Indiana Pacers.
- April 23, 2021: Waived by the Indiana Pacers.
- April 25, 2021: Became a free agent following his Indiana Pacers two-way contract.
- September 20, 2021: Signed a contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- October 15, 2021: Waived by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- October 17, 2021: Became a free agent after being waived by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- October 20, 2023: Signed a contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- October 21, 2023: Waived by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
- October 23, 2023: Became a free agent following his release by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 53% | 44% | 39% | 71% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Total | 64 | 142 | 45.1% | 13 | 38 | 34.2% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 22 | Indiana | SF | 6 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 25% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 100% | 34% | 25% |
| 2019-20 | 21 | Indiana | SF | 6 | 1 | 31 | 6.0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 3 | 10 | 30% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 30% | 30% | Total | 12 | 1 | 46 | 9 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 29% | 0 | 3 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 100% |
NBA PER GAME STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 22 | Indiana | SF | 6 | 0 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 25% | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0% | 0.2 | 0.2 | 100% | 34% | 25% |
| 2019-20 | 21 | Indiana | SF | 6 | 1 | 5.2 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 30% | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 30% | 30% | Total | 12 | 1 | 3.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 29% | 0.3 | 0% | 0.1 | 0.1 | 100% |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
-
North Macedonia
- Kožuv2025–2026
Bowen joined Kožuv for the 2025–26 Macedonian First League season in North Macedonia, and through nine games he averaged 17.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.2 blocks.
Bowen recorded 31 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block for Kožuv on April 5, 2026, then added 24 points, 15 rebounds, two assists and three blocks on April 11, 2026.
COLLEGE
Brian Bowen II grew up in Saginaw, Michigan (USA), and attended Arthur Hill High School before transferring to La Lumiere School in Indiana, where he became a nationally ranked prospect and 2017 Jordan Brand Classic MVP. He enrolled at the University of Louisville in 2017 but did not play an NCAA game because of an eligibility investigation. Bowen transferred to the University of South Carolina in January 2018, but he remained ineligible and did not appear in an NCAA game there either.
After testing the 2018 NBA Draft process and later withdrawing, Bowen signed with the Sydney Kings in August 2018 as the NBL Next Stars program's inaugural player. His route to the professional game was therefore through Australia rather than a US collegiate playing career. Source
AWARDS
- McDonald's All-American (2017)
Related
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