Aaron Bowen

[hoyasincebirth]

Hey guys, I was wondering what you could tell me about this kid. He was committed to you guys, but now we appear to be his leader after having just visited us. Is this the type of kid we want? Why did you guys part ways? Anything you could tell me would be greatly appreciated.

[NersEllenson]

I'm not the resident recruiting expert here, but from all accounts I've heard/read, he is a good kid.  He verbaled rather early in the recruiting process, and was recruited by Dale Layer, a former assistant at MU who left, and once Dale left, Bowen didn't feel as good about coming to MU.  Having said that, Buzz met with Aaron and father, if I'm not mistaken and secrued a "2nd verbal."  His Dad made comments that he's a man/kid of his word..but that ultimately didn't hold true (which is probably the worst any of us could say)  However, Bowens stock was rising, at the time Layer was leaving and this gave him a good excuse to back out of his Verbal to MU.  As much as I hate to say it from an ego perspective - I think he dropped MU once other high-majors got involved..there were a few when we were on him..but not a lot.  I am surprised he's kept his recruitment open this long, however.

Ultimately we landed a perceived better player, more highly rated anyway, in Vander Blue.  Are you a Georgetown guy? 

[goodgreatgrand]

What's the most effective way to piss off a GTown fan?

--Ask them how it feels to get swept by Syracuse.

j/k

[CharlestonChew]

His Dad made comments that he's a man/kid of his word..but that ultimately didn't hold true

I guess Mr Bowen is not a man of his word

[MuMark]

Actually after a good start to the summer his stock started to drop.

MU would have honored his verbal but they were not upset when he decided to reopen and look elseware from what I have heard.

[Goatherder]

Big point was that Dale Layer left.  Layer had recruited him when he was an assistant at Liberty, and told his family he was too good for Liberty.  He committed a year early.  Then Layer left to become head coach at Liberty, which is why their name still gets mentioned.  I do not know anything about a second verbal, but fairly early on, he announced he was reopening his recruitment, and Marquette immediately got a commitment from Jamail Jones, a similar player.  If there are hard feelings about it, they have been well concealed.

I do not think there is anything to worry about regarding his attitude.  Hard to say how good he is, as he improved significantly after his verbal.  Whether he declined since then I do not know, but there are some big programs after him, so probably not much. 

[rocky_warrior]

As much as I hate to say it from an ego perspective - I think he dropped MU once other high-majors got involved..there were a few when we were on him..but not a lot.  I am surprised he's kept his recruitment open this long, however.

Yeah, I think you've got the exactly backwards, which is why his recruitment is still open. 

A good player, that verballed to us early, but after Layer left decommitted (was considering Liberty!), now has GTown as his top suitor.  I suspect he's a decent player, that would get minutes for you in his Jr and Sr. years.

[bma725]

I do not know anything about a second verbal, but fairly early on, he announced he was reopening his recruitment, and Marquette immediately got a commitment from Jamail Jones, a similar player.   

MU already had the commitment from Jones before Bowen decommitted.  In fact some might say that was the reason he decommitted give that Layer left in April and he had no problem being with MU for another 4 months until a similar player showed up.

[GGGG]

Bowen reasserted his verbal to MU in May after Layer left.
Bowen attended MU's camp in June
Jamail Jones verbals in mid-August
Bowen announces that he is reopening his recruiting in September

Now, while I am sure that Layer's departure had a lot to do with it, I am fairly certain looking at this timeline that the Jones commitment had as much or more to do with it.  They are essentially the same player...Jones has been ranked higher though.

[GOMU1104]

Not a very shocking development...Bowen committed to Georgetown today.

[NersEllenson]

Not a very shocking development...Bowen committed to Georgetown today.

Should be fun to see how it all plays out over the next 4 years...

[MUBurrow]

good for him. sounds like he recommitted lukewarmly, and then that hesitation was compounded with the Jones signing. can't say i blame him no matter what the rationale.

[GGGG]

I noticed that he had transferred from his HS in Florida to a prep-school in North Carolina.  He must have had a pretty good year for Georgetown to offer.

[kmwtrucks]

DJ Newbill at some level took his spot, I'm interested to see who turns out be better. 

[GGGG]

DJ Newbill at some level took his spot, I'm interested to see who turns out be better. 

I'm not sure that is entirely accurate.  Bowen was really gone for good once Jones committed.  The comparison should be between those two.

[bma725]

I noticed that he had transferred from his HS in Florida to a prep-school in North Carolina.  He must have had a pretty good year for Georgetown to offer.

Perhaps, but that prep school in North Carolina is so loaded with talent that Bowen isn't even a full time starter.  Not only that, but he's not the only high major commit that has to come off the bench some times, Stargell Love(Baylor) does as well.  How they've lost 8 games this year baffles me.

[kmwtrucks]

Bowen and Newbill are both Big 2's, and I doubt we would have recruited Newbill if Bowen had opted to stay committed.  Jones I look at as more of a 3-4 type player.

[GGGG]

Bowen and Newbill are both Big 2's, and I doubt we would have recruited Newbill if Bowen had opted to stay committed.  Jones I look at as more of a 3-4 type player.

Jones is 6"6"...Bowen is 6' 5 1/2"...Newbill is 6'3".

While you are correct that if Bowen never left, Newbill is likely not on this team, but my feeling is that Jones and Bowen are swingmen types, while Newbill is pretty much only a guard.

[bma725]

Jamail Jones is not a 4.  He's more of a 3/2, Bowen is more of a 2/3.

[HoopsMalone]

Jamail Jones is not a 4.  He's more of a 3/2, Bowen is more of a 2/3.

On most teams at least...   Would any of us be all that surprised if Jones has a Butler-like role? 

[GGGG]

Bowen walked on us.

Not really.  We recruited over him and he backed out on his verbal.  Don't really blame him.