Top 50 Kentucky Wildcats Prior to John Calipari Era
Mar 13, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats mascot during the third round against Florida Gators of the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
29. Sam Bowie
When I think of Sam Bowie, I think of the basketball player who was drafted before who many consider the greatest of all time, Michael Jordan.
Sam Bowie had an extremely promising career, he had just as much, if not more, potential as Michael Jordan, but his knees surely gave him hell.
He was drafted second overall in the 1984 NBA Draft behind Hakeem Olajuwon and before Michael Jordan. Not a bad spot to be drafted. He was able to play in 76 games for the Portland Trailblazers and was selected to the All-Rookie team before his injuries started plaguing him again. He was a member of the Trailblazers team from 1984-1989, then went on to the New Jersey Nets from 1989-1993 then had a stint with the Los Angeles Lakers from 1993-1995.
Over his career, Bowie averaged 10.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.78 blocks per game. He hit 45.2% of his attempted field goal, and 30.2% of his three-point shots. Not bad for the 7-1 center.
During his time with the University of Kentucky, Bowie made a name for himself.
As a freshman during the 1979–80 season with the Wildcats, Bowie averaged 12 points and eight rebounds per game.By the end of that season, Bowie was picked for the United States Olympic men’s basketball team, which eventually boycotted the Moscow Olympics. But it was another notch on his talent resume. He had what looked to be a promising career.
Bowie’s sophomore season with the Wildcats, he averaged 17.5 points and nine rebounds per game. He was named a third-team NCAA Basketball All-American by the AP. He also, and now shares, the Kentucky record for most blocked shots in a game, with nine in the 1981 season.
He was apart of the “Twin Towers” with fellow Wildcat Melvin Turpin. He also had the cover of a Sports Illustrated issue with his win over the Louisville Cardinals.
He now lives in Kentucky and has an abundance of horses. You can find him often at Red Mile Racetrack in Lexington.