The Eagle Preview Series: Ky Bowman

The Eagle Preview Series: Ky Bowman

By: Andrew Linnehan

Ky Bowman PG #0

6’1”   188 lbs

2016-17 Stats

14.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.9 APG, .492 FG%, .449 FG3%

What We Know: He’s a Competitor

Bowman had originally been competing for the starting point guard role with former Eagle, Ty Graves. This name may be insignificant to most BC students and fans at this point, yet the monster that is Ky Bowman could not have come together without Ty Graves.

Graves and Bowman split time at the point guard position to begin the season. Although Bowman was the original starter, Graves was the first to come onto the scene by actually being BC’s leading scorer in the opening game vs Nicholls St with 15 points (including 4-7 from deep). Bowman, on the other hand, struggled as he finished with 4 points and 2 turnovers in just 10 minutes of action. The next game, Graves earned the nod as the starter. Bowman struggled with his shot early and limiting his turnovers. Although his pure talent had not expressed itself yet, his competitive edge translated into consuming defense, ferocious rebounding, and a great head of red hair.

Thus, a tug-of-war for the starting job commenced. After neither Bowman or Graves had truly earned the starting position after 11 games and ACC play peaking right around the corner, Bowman made the final tug. In a valiant effort in the loss against Fairfield, Bowman delivered with an eye-popping 33 points on 13-21 shooting with 8 boards, 5 dimes, and 3 steals. It was settled; coach Jim Christian had finally found his point guard.

Bowman went on to have a phenomenal freshman campaign. Most notably, he notched 30 points and 9 assists in the ACC opener against Syracuse. He finished the season averaging 14.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 2.9 APG. This earned him the nod of being elected BC’s freshman athlete of the year and making the All-ACC freshman team alongside Jayson Tatum (Duke), Jonathan Isaac (Florida State), and Dennis Smith Jr (NC State), who went 3rd, 6th, and 9th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft. Not bad company to be in.

While the stats and the honors are impressive, we learned just as much about Bowman’s character as we did about his talent. He should us a relentless spirit and an admirable desire to compete. Ky Bowman is the heart (and the hair) of this team going forward.

What We Want: Control of the Offense

Part of the duty of being the point guard is to have the ability to control the tempo and the operation of the offense. Bowman, who is fast by nature, has a tendency to play a million miles an hour. Is this a bad thing? Not necessarily. It’s actually quite electric when applied correctly. Due to his strength and dominant athleticism, Bowman is at his best in transition. He is capable of making acrobatic plays and finishing with both hands with contact. However, his need for speed has a time and place.

In order to be most effective this season, Bowman must be able to hit the reset button and accept the progression of a set offense when necessary. Jim Christian loves to utilize flex cuts and back screens to get movement towards the basket. This offense is effective and efficient– as long as you let it develop. Bowman, at times, could get impatient and pull a three that may not have been in rhythm or decide he wanted to get to the basket from the top of the key and do it all himself.

Particularly with the transfer of their best passer in AJ Turner, Bowman will have a much larger responsibility in running the offense. He must learn to let the offense marinate and develop in order to get the best shot going towards the rim. Bowman certainly has the physical tools to permit this offense to excel. He just needs to buy in mentally through patience and discipline offensively.

What We’ll Learn: BC’s Identity

Ky Bowman has the potential to be the face of BC basketball. Bowman has the playmaking ability of Reggie Jackson, the strength of Jared Dudley, and the drive like…well, nobody we’ve seen here before.

Bowman has the “it” factor that can take over games and put programs on the map. Being in the ACC, Bowman has a great opportunity of competing on a nightly basis with some of the best college players in the country and not once will he admit defeat. Bowman is able to take over a game offensively by scoring 30, distributing the ball for double digit assists, knock down 7 threes, leading the team in rebounds, or locking down the opposing point guard. This man can really do it all and it’s a blast to watch him do it. His down-to-earth demeanor off the court mixed with his aggression on the court makes him easy to root for but even easier to like.

Ky Bowman holds a lot of weight on his shoulders this season, but don’t expect that to intimidate him in the slightest.

Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports