Bruce Bowen went on to play for the National Basketball Association's Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs and the Continental Basketball Association's Rockford Lightning, and played abroad in France.
35 Facts About Bruce Bowen
2.
One of the most feared perimeter "lockdown" defenders in NBA history, Bruce Bowen was elected to the NBA All-Defensive First and Second Teams eight times, and was a member of the Spurs teams that won the NBA championships in 2003,2005, and 2007.
3.
Bruce Bowen has stated that he only saw his father "from time to time".
4.
Bruce Bowen has asserted that his mother took drugs, and that she once sold the family television to feed her crack cocaine habit.
5.
Bruce Bowen has an uncle named Darryl who looked out for him as a child; he regards Darryl and his sons as brothers.
6.
Bruce Bowen then played four seasons at Cal State Fullerton, appearing in 101 games, and averaged 11.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
7.
Bruce Bowen spent the next season back in France with Besancon.
8.
Bruce Bowen made his NBA debut when he was signed to a ten-day contract by the Miami Heat in March 1997.
9.
Bruce Bowen's output consisted of 1 game, 1 minute and 1 block.
10.
The next year was a disappointment for him, as Bruce Bowen appeared in only 30 Celtics games, averaging 2.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in 16.5 minutes per game.
11.
Bruce Bowen was later traded to the Chicago Bulls and immediately waived, then picked up off waivers by the Miami Heat.
12.
Bruce Bowen logged more minutes, scored more points and hit more threes than he had in his first four seasons combined.
13.
Especially, Bruce Bowen earned himself a reputation as a defensive stopper.
14.
Bruce Bowen joined a championship-caliber team, led by veteran Hall-of-Fame center David Robinson and young power forward Tim Duncan, complemented by talented role players like Steve Smith, Malik Rose, Antonio Daniels and point guards Terry Porter and Tony Parker.
15.
Bruce Bowen established himself as a starter, beginning in each of his 59 regular-season games.
16.
In that season, Bruce Bowen received his first of several fines: he had to pay $7,500 for kicking Wally Szczerbiak in the face during a March 1,2002 game.
17.
At age 31, the one-time journeyman Bruce Bowen had won his first championship ring as a starter.
18.
Bruce Bowen's knee contacted Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash's groin, knocking Nash to the floor.
19.
Ever controversial, Bruce Bowen was fined $7,000 and suspended for one game for kicking Chris Paul after Paul had fallen to the floor during a March 12,2008 game.
20.
Bruce Bowen finished as the runner-up behind Marcus Camby for the league's defensive player of the year award.
21.
Bruce Bowen started in every Spurs regular season and playoff game from 2001 to 2008.
22.
Bruce Bowen's minutes were greatly reduced, although his shooting numbers remained consistent.
23.
On June 23,2009, Bruce Bowen was traded along with Kurt Thomas and Fabricio Oberto to the Milwaukee Bucks for Richard Jefferson.
24.
Bruce Bowen was released on July 31,2009 and retired on September 3,2009.
25.
In 2006 US coach Mike Krzyzewski invited Bruce Bowen to join the United States men's national basketball team, which participated in the 2006 FIBA World Championships in Japan.
26.
However, Bruce Bowen received little playing time, despite the injuries of fellow swingmen and guards Antawn Jamison, Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade.
27.
Bruce Bowen expressed disappointment and said he hoped to make the 2008 Olympics squad, but was not named to the team in the end.
28.
Bruce Bowen had a reputation for being one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, earning himself eight consecutive nominations for the NBA All-Defensive First and Second Teams from 2001 to 2008.
29.
Bruce Bowen was seldom sought on offense, having never attempted more than 600 field goals in an entire 82-game regular season, and his career averages of 6.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, and.
30.
Bruce Bowen's free throw shooting, in fact, was poor enough that he was at times been made the target of the Hack-a-Shaq defense.
31.
Bruce Bowen has stated that he wants to become a teacher.
32.
In 2011, Bruce Bowen was inducted into the Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame.
33.
Bruce Bowen worked for ESPN as an NBA analyst after he retired.
34.
Bruce Bowen was relieved of his duties after making comments critical of Kawhi Leonard, a free agent and trade target of the Clippers.
35.
In 2004, Bruce Bowen married Yardley Barbon, a Miami native of Cuban descent, and the couple had two sons.