2019 NBA Draft Profile: Ky Bowman

The Trail Blazers’ memorable postseason run might be over, but the the 2019 NBA Draft is right around the corner. Portland’s President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey currently has the No. 25 pick in the draft at his disposal and he will look to supplement the Blazers’ roster with a talented prospect in the latter stages of the first round. Regardless of Portland’s lack of a pick in the second round, Olshey has shown a willingness to negotiate his way back into the selection process. Today we look at Boston College Eagles point guard Ky Bowman.

Ky Bowman

• Height: 6’2.25”
• Weight: 181
• Wingspan: 6’7”
• Shooting Hand: Right
• Position: PG
• Age: 21
• Projected draft range: N/A

2018-19 Statistics

• PTS: 19.0 | Per 40: 19.3
• AST: 4.0 | Per 40: 4.1
• REB: 7.5 | Per 40: 7.6
• STL: 1.4 | Per 40: 1.4
• FG%: 40.4
• 3P%: 37.4
• FT%: 76.1

Strengths

Equipped with moves that allow him to score at all three levels, Bowman recorded stellar numbers during his his three-year stint at Boston College. His explosive first step and equally impressive crossover moves get defenders off balance at the point of attack, allowing him to get to his favorite spots. Off the ball, Bowman’s compact and quick shot set the stage for catch-and-shoot conversions. Moving downhill, he mixes floaters with above-the-rim finishing. Regardless of his lack of height, Bowman’s sturdy anchor puts him in position to secure rebounds at a high rate. Defensively, he is a tenacious on-ball defender. In transition, Bowman has a penchant for reversing momentum with thunderous chase-down blocks.

Weaknesses

Jerome Robinson’s ascension to the Clippers made Bowman the focal point of the Eagles’ offense and the results weren’t always pretty. Bowman was a high-volume scorer, which raises questions about his potential effectiveness in a reduced role. Boston College’s half-court offenses routinely stagnated with Bowman dribbling the ball into the ground for extended amounts of time. Without a true No. 2 option, his assist-to-turnover ratio trended in the wrong direction. If Bowman hopes to take the reins of a professional offense, he must take better care of the ball.

2018-19 Season

Despite Bowman’s steady contributions, the Eagles’ 2018-19 season endured a rough finish. Prior to the conference schedule, BC stitched together a 9-4 record. Bowman reached double-digit point totals in all but one contest and crossed the 35-point threshold on three occasions. In a New Year’s Eve overtime loss to Hartford, he produced a 44-point outburst. Bowman’s heroics earned him a spot on the All-ACC Second Team.

Overall Assessment

Bowman’s explosive moves as an attacker are undeniable. The former Alabama football target could easily carve out a niche similar to Patrick Beverley’s role as an irritant on both ends of the floor. Potential suitors are faced with a major question when evaluating Bowman: can he impact the game positively in a lower-usage role? If that answer is yes, the former Eagles star has all the tools to be second-round steal. Bowman’s size will limit his versatility, but he can provide instant offense and physical defense off the bench. It is also important to note that Bowman played a ton of minutes at Boston College. He averaged over 38 minutes per game in his final two seasons with the Eagles.

Overall Fit

The Trail Blazers already invited Bowman to their practice facility for a pre-draft workout—indicating there is some interest. Seth Curry’s potential departure could move Anfernee Simons up the pecking order, which would create an opening for Bowman on the roster. Armed with an offensive game that mirrors Shabazz Napier, the former BC standout could occupy a similar role inside coach Terry Stotts’ offense. It is possible that the Blazers could land Bowman’s services without acquiring a second round pick. In that scenario, his services could prove valuable on a two-way contract, an avenue that the Blazers failed to utilize last season.

Do you want to see Bowman in a Blazers jersey next season? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

—Steve/@SteveDHoops/BEdgeSteve@gmail.com