Ryan Bowen was on the lookout for a thing diverse to do this summer time.
So Bowen took on the job as head coach of the Denver Nuggets for the NBA Summer months League, which started July 7 and finishes July 17.
Bowen, a graduate of Fort Madison Superior University and the University of Iowa, is coming into his eighth season as an assistant mentor with the Nuggets and his 13th year as an assistant mentor in the NBA.
With the NBA period nevertheless 3 months away, Bowen figured what far better way to expend the summer than likely to Las Vegas for two weeks and hone his basketball coaching skills in the course of action?
“It is rather fascinating for me,” explained Bowen, 46. “It is really the subsequent phase in coaching for me. I have been doing this for really a even though now. When coach (Michael Malone) requested if I wanted a crack at coaching in the Summertime League, I was psyched about it. The very last pair moments he asked me to go, I experienced other commitments with my loved ones. This is a great opportunity for me.”
A lot more Hawkeyes news:USC and UCLA to the Major 10 is formal. What does their go indicate for Iowa athletics?
Bowen, an all-condition player, uncovered the match from Corridor of Fame coach Mark Bigler at Fort Madison. Bowen was inducted into the Iowa Substantial University Athletic Affiliation Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.
Bowen went on develop into a two-time All-Big Ten player at Iowa underneath head coach Tom Davis. As a senior, he averaged 14.4 factors and led the team in rebounding (8.7), steals (2.5), blocks (1.3) and area-objective share (.603).
A 10-year NBA veteran, he appeared in 507 occupation games with the Nuggets (1999-00 through 2003-04), Houston Rockets (2004-05 by 2005-06), New Orleans Hornets (2007-08 via 2008-09) and Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (2009-10). His skilled knowledge consists of time participating in overseas for Oyak Renault (Turkey) and Ironi Nahariya (Israel). Bowen was chosen by the Nuggets in the second round (55th in general) of the 1998 NBA Draft.
Far more Hawkeye sports:Iowa men’s basketball reportedly to play Seton Hall in 2022 Gavitt Video games
Following investing the 2009 time as online video coordinator at Iowa, Bowen accepted a placement as an assistant mentor with the Nuggets, a position he held for two seasons.
On August 21, 2013, Bowen was employed as an assistant coach and assistant director of participant enhancement by the Sacramento Kings. In July 2015, he returned to the Denver Nuggets as an assistant.
While Bowen no for a longer time receives out on the court docket and methods with the gamers, he however has plenty of knowledge to impart to the youthful players, which he programs to do in the Summer League.
“I am experience the a long time on my physique now,” Bowen claimed. “Even even though I performed for so a lot of several years and now I have been coaching for really a although, I experience like I am still understanding. I seriously don’t truly feel like I’m 46. I utilised to be extremely active as a mentor, but I tore my patella tendon and I experienced hip substitution surgical procedures, so I go away all the on-court docket stuff to the younger guys.”
Much more Summer time League:The Sacramento Kings officially launched Keegan Murray on Saturday. Here is what he stated.
Bowen was eager to work with Jamal Murray, who is doing the job his way again from a torn ACL in the 2020-21 time. Bowen also is doing the job with the Nuggets’ draft picks to see how they can healthy into the Nuggets’ rotation the moment practice begins in earnest in September.
“I am seeking forward to molding the crew and figuring out how we are heading to piece all of this with each other,” Bowen explained. “The Summer months League is going to have a substantial impression on our group. We are incorporating some of our veteran gamers into the mix, like Jamal Murray, who is coming off an damage. This is a massive offer for us as an organization. At the conclusion of the working day, that’s what it is all about.”
The 11 days in Las Vegas are fantastic timing for Bowen. His youngest son, Zach, who will be a senior at Mountain Vista Higher School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, is drawing appears to be like from various colleges close to the nation. He is in Las Vegas for the duration of the same time to enjoy in the Las Vegas Typical, an AAU college exposure party. (Bowen’s oldest son, Ben, not long ago transferred from Wyoming to the University of Denver.)
Bowen also has had a probability to catch up with some of the people from back dwelling in Iowa.
“We are keeping in the same hotel as the Sacramento Kings, so I am searching ahead to assembly up with Keegan Murray and his family members,” Bowen mentioned. “It’s been an awesome chance. As a player in the NBA, I transitioned into coaching while I was at Iowa. It was there that I figured out I required to be a mentor.”
Much more Iowa basketball news:Iowa draws Ga Tech in Big Ten/ACC Challenge
The Nuggets have manufactured some deep runs in the NBA playoffs in the latest many years, but viewing the Colorado Avalanche acquire the Stanley Cup final thirty day period, together with the Denver Broncos of the NFL signing All-Pro quarterback Russell Wilson, has brought a renewed enjoyment to a athletics-crazed metropolis. Bowen wishes to aid convey an NBA championship to Denver.
“I bought to have my photo taken with the Stanley Cup and go to the parade in downtown Denver. There is an remarkable sporting activities atmosphere in Denver proper how, specifically with the Broncos bringing in Russell Wilson, a two-time NFL MVP,” Bowen said. “We have been very close to receiving to the NBA Finals the past couple years. We want to carry that to Denver.”
Even though Bowen now phone calls Denver property, his roots always will be in Iowa. He recently integrated a drill he discovered from former West Burlington Large College head mentor Vern Reed into a Nuggets observe.
“The next working day of Summer time League exercise we did a drill called ‘Steal the Bacon.’ The guys experienced a ton of entertaining with that,” claimed Bowen, who designs to be back again in Iowa at the conclude of the month checking out household and good friends. “I was not sure how it would work with these fellas simply because they are so competitive. It was a ton unique enjoying ‘Steal the Bacon’ with NBA guys than it was with fifth- and sixth-graders back at the West Burlington gym.”
Matt Levins is a sporting activities reporter for the Usa These days Network in Burlington, Iowa, who has protected community sporting activities for 31 many years. Access him at [email protected].
More Stories
Advantages of the New Jordan Shoes From Nike
How to Care for Your Basketball Jersey
Know the Different Dimensions of Basketball Courts