11:04 am | August 7, 2018 | Go to Source | Author:
Former McDonald’s All-American and Louisville commit Brian Bowen has signed a professional contract with the Sydney Kings in Australia.
Bowen, the No. 14 ranked recruit in ESPN’s Top 100 in 2017, is the first player signed to the NBL’s Next Stars program, which was launched in March in an effort to provide alternative pathways for NBA prospects that are unable or uninterested in playing college basketball.
“I am honored to be the first player under the NBL’s Next Stars program and feel it will be the perfect next step as I continue the path toward fulfilling my dream of playing in the NBA,” Bowen said in a release provided to ESPN. “In joining the Sydney Kings, I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity to start my professional career and look forward to learning from all the team’s veteran pros, like Andrew Bogut, Jerome Randle and Brad Newley. I can’t wait to get out to Sydney and join the team.”
Bowen was one of the main figures identified in the FBI’s sweeping investigation into corruption in college basketball, as his family was accused of being paid $100,000 by Adidas to commit to Louisville. In the wake of these allegations, Louisville head coach Rick Pitino was fired and Bowen was suspended from basketball activity by the school. He subsequently transferred to South Carolina, where he practiced for much of the season and later declared for and withdrew from the 2018 NBA draft after participating in the May combine in Chicago. The NCAA ruled Bowen ineligible for the 2018-2019 season, and potentially beyond, which ultimately forced his hand in forfeiting his remaining college eligibility and pursuing professional options.
The Australian NBL has experience with players in Bowen’s mold, as the Adelaide 36ers signed McDonald’s All-American Terrance Ferguson, the No. 11 recruit in ESPN’s Top 100 in 2016, and helped him become a first-round draft pick in 2017. Bowen will hope to take a similar path. The league is looking to benefit from the exposure of helping a five-star recruit rehabilitate his draft stock and in the process lure additional top prospects to play in Australia in the future.