Ryan Bowen is in his second season as the University of Iowa’s video coordinator.
Bowen played in 120 games as a Hawkeye (1994-98), scoring 1,090 points (9.1 avg.), which ranks 33rd at Iowa and collected 804 rebounds (6.7 avg.). He is Iowa’s career field goal percentage leader, shooting at a 57.5% clip (397-690). Bowen, who was a two-time all-Big Ten performer, is Iowa’s single-season record holder in steals per game, averaging 2.8 per contest in 1998. The Fort Madison, Iowa, native also holds the school record for career steals (208) and ranks fourth in career blocks (124) and eighth in career rebounding (804).
Bowen, who was the 1997 Chris Street Award winner, led the Hawkeyes in rebounding (9.1), steals (1.9) and field goal percentage (.553) his junior campaign. As a senior, he averaged 14.4 points and led the team in rebounding (8.7), steals (2.5), blocks (1.3) and field goal percentage (.603).
Bowen concluded an 11-year run playing professionally overseas and in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 6-9, 225-pound forward was a second round draft pick of the Denver Nuggets in the 1998 NBA Draft. He began his career in Turkey (1998-99) before playing five seasons with the Nuggets (1999-2004). Bowen was then picked up by the Houston Rockets, playing two seasons (2004-06). After recovering from hip surgery, he played a partial season in Israel (2007). He then signed with the New Orleans Hornets, playing two seasons (2007-09). Bowen competed in one game for the Oklahoma City Thunder this past November before retiring.
Bowen and his wife, Wendy, have three children, a daugher Isabel (10) and sons Benjamin (seven) and Zachary (six). Wendy was a UI Dance Team member for three years.