Sam Bowie

American basketball center who played at Kentucky (1979-1984), known for injury struggles and being drafted #2 overall ahead of Michael Jordan in 1984

Samuel Paul Bowie was born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania in 1961. He attended the University of Kentucky under coach Joe B. Hall and was regarded as the best center prospect since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. His Kentucky career was severely disrupted by stress fractures in his left leg that cost him his junior and senior seasons in 1981-82 and 1982-83 — he missed two full years before returning as a fifth-year senior in 1984. His intact seasons produced 17.4 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. He was a two-time All-American and SEC Player of the Year when healthy. Portland Trail Blazers selected him second overall in the 1984 NBA Draft — ahead of Michael Jordan at third. The selection has since become the most discussed drafting decision in NBA history. His professional career was limited by the same leg injury issues that disrupted his college years. His college career — what it was before the injuries and what it might have been without them — represents one of basketball's most poignant stories: a genuinely gifted player whose ceiling was higher than almost anyone's but who was denied the opportunity to reach it.

Bowie was a skilled 7'1" center with good shooting touch and basketball fundamentals. He possessed solid post moves and was an effective shot blocker, using his height and wingspan to alter opponents' shots. His game was built around traditional center play with reliable mid-range shooting ability.

Bowie is remembered as one of the most significant draft decisions in NBA history, being selected ahead of Michael Jordan in 1984.

• All-American 2x
• SEC Player of Year
• Tournament hero
• Kentucky career scoring records