J.J. Bowden #34

Cash Money Brothers | Power Forward | #34 Height: 6' 7" Weight: 225 lbs. Born: February, 21st 1969 in Compton, CA     High School: Lower Marion HS, Crenshaw HS College: Lane CC, Pacific Lutheran University, George Fox University, Bowden University Years Pro: 11 Status: Completing League mandatory rehabilitation program.  Activated on 01-03-01 Front Office Affiliation(s): Director of European Scouting

High School Stats:

J.J. Bowden's somewhat troubled career, began way back on the streets of Philly, where this scrawny young teenager turned into a dominate street player.  After completing a few remedial summer courses, Bowden was able to enroll in Lower Marion HS in Philadelphia, where made an immediate impact on a lackluster squad of drug crazed teens that resembled more of a gang much less a high school basketball team.  Drug use and gun fire were prominent in his neighborhood, and although Bowden had experimented with drugs, J.J. was determined to not become like the kids around him and chose basketball instead of a pipe to be his vice.  As a Sophomore Bowden led Lower Marion to the State Championship where he was selected as the Finals MVP.  Just as his life seemed to be on track, a tragic thing happened to him.  J.J.'s mother was caught in the cross fire of a drive by shooting in 1985 and died on her way to the hospital.  Just when things were looking up for him, his hope of being the first in his family to graduate from high school seemed to fade.

After being bounced around from foster home to foster home in Philadelphia, DCF transferred his case to California and Bowden seemed to find a home when he landed in Crenshaw Heights with the Williams family in 86'.  Bowden enrolled in Crenshaw HS and immediately started right where he left off in Philly, he was named Player of the Year his Junior and Senior seasons and lead the Crenshaw Tigers to 2 consecutive State Championships.  He graduated in 1988 with career marks of 28.3ppg, 11.7rpg, and 3.4apg.

College Stats:

After signing a letter of intent to play at Wichita State, Bowden began the long journey of his dream to someday play professionally, but that is not how this Freshman Phenom would start his college career.  In his very first game as a collegiate, Bowden went up for an early game rebound and came down awkward on his ankle and suffered a fracture to his left foot.  While recovering, Bowden became addicted to the narcotic drug known as Vicodin and began a long hard road of addiction and strife.  Unable to kick the habit or keep his grades up, Bowden slowly saw his life turning downward.  Bowden was asked to leave Wichita State and then he moved to Oregon to start with a clean slate, where he enrolled in Lane Community College, hoping to regain his lost youth.  Bowden was a welcome addition there and left career marks of 26.3ppg, and 10.6rpg.  He also completed his Associates Degree in 1990.

After graduating from Lane CC, Bowden decided to pursue an Undergraduate Degree in Afro-American Physical Therapy Studies at Pacific Lutheran University.  Attending a university with a religious background, Bowden hoped to put the past behind him and become a productive member of society...unfortunately that would not be the case.  After a university mixer in the fall of 91', Bowden drove his car into a bridge abutment off of Interstate 5 and injured himself and 2 passengers.  Although drugs and alcohol were said to be involved, no charges were ever filed and Bowden withdrew from PLU shortly thereafter.  After completing a voluntary drug rehabilitation program, Bowden seemed eager to erase his troubled past and finally hone in on becoming a productive basketball player and citizen.

Enrolling in George Fox University in the fall of 92', Bowden looked like the youngster of yester year that loved playing hoops and nothing more.  This is where his life took a turn for the better, when he met two young hoopsters named J. Legend and G. Murph and the rest you might say is history.  He dominated at the NCAA III level and earned All-American honors in each of his 2 seasons at GFU, leaving career marks of 31.7ppg, 12.4rpg, and 2.7apg.  After graduating from Fox with a B.A. in Athletic Business Management, Bowden decided to pursue a Graduate degree at Bowden University in 97', which was named after his namesake and great great grand father, James Juwanda Bowden.  J.J. is still an active Alumni member at Bowden University holding a position as Director of Player Alumni Relations.

Pro Stats:

Bowden was drafted by the Golden State Warriors with the 27th pick in the 2nd round of 1993.  Just after dawning the Warriors team cap, Bowden was dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers for a first round pick and a player to be named later.  While in training camp Bowden suffered a bone contusion to his right femur during a routine scrimmage and was put on the preseason IL.  Once again Bowden was in a familiar place and found himself becoming addicted to pain killers once again.  He was suspended for 10 games for violating the leagues substance abuse policy, and the Clippers waived him before the season opener in October.

Seizing the opportunity, CMB General Manager J. Legend, took the chance to pick up the troubled superstar and try and mold him into the player they knew he could be.  After being discharged from the Betty Ford Clinic for a second time, Bowden begin a difficult training regiment with the CMB Farm Team.  Climbing his way up the roster line, Bowden earned a starting roll with the CMB in 94' and earned All-Star honors in 1995.  After two dominating seasons, Bowden was named the League MVP in 1997, and after being resigned to a 2yr deal this past summer, Bowden looks to finally be on his way to greatness.

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