Ex-Louisville commit Brian Bowen signs in Australia
Brian Bowen has finally found somewhere to play basketball.
After being identified in the FBI's investigation into corruption in college basketball, and eventually forfeiting his college eligibility as a result, the 19-year-old has signed with the Sydney Kings of Australia's National Basketball League, according to Jonathan Givony of 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," Bowen said in a statement. "I can't wait to get out to Sydney and join the team."
The former McDonald's All-American committed to Louisville but never played a game for the school, as the FBI alleges that $100,000 was funneled to his family through Adidas to get him to become a Cardinal. Head coach Rick Pitino was fired as a result of the investigation. Bowen was first suspended indefinitely, then banned from ever playing for Louisville.
Bowen transferred to South Carolina and practiced with the Gamecocks. Transfer rules would have held him out of action until at least December, but the NCAA then ruled he'd be ineligible for the entire 2018-19 season, if not longer. Bowen had already declared for the NBA draft and, though he eventually withdrew after an underwhelming performance at the combine, he forfeited his remaining college eligibility.
With promising athleticism and 3-point shooting ability, Bowen will look to follow in the footsteps of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Terrance Ferguson, who spent a season with the Adelaide 36ers out of high school before being selected 21st overall in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Bowen's the first player to join the NBL as part of its Next Stars program, which offers an alternative route to the NBA for prospects who can't or don't want to play college basketball. As part of the program, the NBL will pay Bowen's salary instead of his team, and he doesn't count toward the Kings' maximum of three import players.