When the Eastern Michigan University men’s basketball team kicks off its season Friday at Michigan State, senior forward Brandon Bowdry will continue his success on the basketball court from last season.
“I like the pressure,” Bowdry said. “I like things that fall on my shoulders; I like the responsibility.”
Bowdry averaged a double-double with 16.3 points and 10.0 rebounds per game last year, and he was the only player on the team to accomplish this feat.
Last year, the Eagles finished 17-15 overall and 8-8 in the Mid-American Conference , marking their best season in 11 years. Bowdry was awarded second team All-MAC last season, where he played all 32 games and also claimed the National Association of Basketball Coaches District 14 second team honors.
The Eagles are predicted to finish third in the MAC, but Bowdry is looking forward to proving those doubters wrong.
For three years Bowdry has been a vocal leader on the court for sixth-year coach Charles Ramsey.
“Ramsey wants me to exude my toughness and channel it to executing what he wants done on the basketball court,” Bowdry said. “Whatever he preaches and asks, he looks to me to lead the team and execute a win.”
Bowdry believes the team has a lot going for it this year.
“We had a good finish last year, and we have guys around that saw what we could do and saw how we finished,” Bowdry said. “We are going to be OK. We have the talent to win. We have a good group of guys.”
Basketball has been more than a game to Bowdry. He first started playing basketball because he saw his older brother pick up the game
“We first started with football,” Bowdry said. “We were pretty good, but in the area that we were at basketball was played more.”
Bowdry said brother pursued basketball in college, but he focused more on business.
“Basketball, for me, is a release,” Bowdry said. “Basketball is a passion for me; it helps me clear my mind and release my aggression.”
Bowdry’s teammates consider him the junkyard dog on the team. Whenever the teams needs a point, a rebound, a clutch basketball, or a defensive stop they look towards Bowdry’s direction.
“I exert all my emotions on the court,” Bowdry said. “I look forward to being the bully on the court; I’m an
all-around player. Things you would want to do, I do.”
Bowdry attended Truman High School in Taylor, Mich., for his junior and senior year, and he was considered one of the top players in the state, averaging 17.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 2.2 assists per game. He led his school to the Class A quarterfinals with a 21-5 record.
Bowdry said, “People didn’t really know who I was. I could’ve gone to a better-known school than Truman, but I wanted to help pick up the Truman basketball program and make a difference within the program.”
In high school, Bowdry was selected first-team All-Area, second-team All-Metro, and third-team All-State by the Detroit News. He was also chosen as the Player of the Year by the News Herald newspaper, and he is displayed on Truman’s Wall of Fame for basketball accomplishments.
“It’s what you make of where you are,” Bowdry said. “You just need to make the most out of it.”
