Bowie Has Bolstered Game, Terps to Benefit

Ron Bailey, Publisher

May 10, 2007 – Adrian Bowie has long been known as an athletic, slashing, left handed shooting guard standing greater than 6’2”, capable of both defending and hitting key shots. Having decided last year to become a Maryland Terrapin, fans of that Atlantic Coast Conference school should note he has improved as a senior at Montrose Christian School (MD) this past year, with those changes benefiting their institution during the 2007-2008 season.

What great alterations could a player named first team All-Met and All-Gazette (Montgomery County) have made you ask? A monumental one actually: He was not only a captain on the 21-3 team, but ran the show as the point guard, averaging 14.6 points, 4.2 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists a contest.

Adrian Bowie, here at the foul line during the Capital Classic, has been associated with Maryland Basketball since the age of 10 (as a ballboy). The game was played at MD's Comacast Center.

“It was a challenge” said Adrian of his position switch at the 34th Annual Capital Classic last month. “First of all, I had to worry about other people’s game. I couldn’t shoot as much. It showed me it wasn’t all about me, it was about the team”.

That last comment should not be construed as Bowie suggesting he was previously a selfish player, as he wasn’t. It was simply Adrian’s way of acknowledging the different obligations inherent in being a point guard versus those of a two-man.

Actually, Adrian never really had the opportunity to be selfish on the court, not with his father, John Bowie around. “I’ve always told him, in order to be considered a great basketball player, you have to share the basketball” shared the elder Bowie, himself a former college standout at Bowie State University, and professional player. “For instance, if some one is open ahead, hit (pass) ahead. Sometimes I think he’s unselfish to a fault”.

From a specific skills perspective, Adrian has not only improved his knowledge of the game and understanding of passing in relation to other teammates’ roles, but can now pat the rock solidly with both hands, and enjoys a more consistient mid-range jumper.

Bowie's understated retort to those who suggest he won't succeed in the ACC? “My game should say it all”.

Before playing in the Capital Classic, Bowie exclaimed he was happy to do so, as “The people I’m going to play against now, I’m going to play against in the ACC”. During the contest, he tallied 14 points, four rebounds, and one assist, while playing both backcourt positions; offensive numbers derived from scoring on curl moves, spot up jumpers, dunks, and from the charity stripe. His passing was more impressive than the box score indicated, and most importantly Adrian proved he in fact has a much better feel for the game.

That last point is in part created in young players by increased basketball maturity, of which Bowie has. According to the young guy, that is due to not only playing the lead guard last season and being a captain – which entailed providing an example for the program’s young players – but also from being schooled in the Montrose program for two years. “I learned it (maturity) from Kevin Durant and the guys before me” he noted. “They showed me I had so much to learn”.

Adrian's mother, Marsha Bowie, seen here with his father John, feels her youngest son's maturity growth has extended off the court also, as “Every since he qualified to go to Maryland (this year), he’s been acting more as an adult. It seems like he’s preparing himself for college”.

As a Terrapin, Adrian expects to play shooting guard, which he believes will be helped by the recent point guard experience. Matriculating to College Park is even more exciting for him, as he shared “I get the chance to start right away”, as well as join his older brother Darren, now a freshman on that campus.

Before arriving, Adrian has had to deal with naysayers – both of himself and the Terp’s 2007 recruiting class. Bowie had heard it all, like “They aren’t ready for the ACC”, or “He can’t play shooting guard at that level’, and so forth.

His response? A desire to continue improving. “It makes me want to get working right now” relayed Bowie when asked of the criticism, “to do the things I need to do to prove everybody wrong”. He also has no doubt that all of the Terps-to-be entering with him feel similarly.

For those who have tracked his development in high school, there is no pause he will in fact prove himself. Future ACC foes will probably be asking the question “Why did they have to get him started by suggesting otherwise”?

Congratulations are in order for Adrian and his family, as his dream of playing big time college hoops will soon be realized. But just getting there is only the first part; next comes impacting the program. Those who know him don’t’ doubt he will.

Keeping doing your do Adrian. We at i95Ballerz.com are proud of you.