Last Updated on April 17, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s the detailed information on Sam Bowie:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Samuel Paul Bowie
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born March 17, 1961
  • Hometown: Lebanon, Pennsylvania
  • Height: 7’1″ (2.16 m)
  • Weight: 235 lbs (107 kg) during his playing career
  • Wingspan: 7’4″ (2.24 m)
  • Shoe Size: 15 (US)
  • Number: Wore #31 and #30 during his NBA career
  • Position: Center / Power Forward
  • High School: Lebanon High School, Lebanon, Pennsylvania
  • College: University of Kentucky
  • NBA Draft: 1984 NBA Draft, 2nd overall pick by the Portland Trail Blazers
  • Teams Played For:
    • Portland Trail Blazers (1984–1989)
    • New Jersey Nets (1989–1993)
    • Los Angeles Lakers (1993–1995)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: Three children, including daughters Samantha and Gabrielle Bowie
  • Siblings: Brother, David Bowie (not the musician).

Player Archetype / Play Style

Sam Bowie’s player archetype was that of a traditional two-way center, a back-line big whose value came from rim protection, rebounding, interior scoring, and smart passing for his size. Defensively, he projected and functioned as a paint anchor, using his 7-foot-1 frame, length, timing, and shot-blocking instincts to contest at the rim and control space inside. Offensively, Bowie was more than a pure finisher: he could score on the block, clean up around the basket, and keep the ball moving as a capable passing big, which helped distinguish him from more one-dimensional centers of his era. His style blended size and skill rather than flash, giving him the profile of a high-post/interior center who could support both ends when healthy, even if injuries ultimately became the defining interruption of his career. (NBA)

Sources:
NBA.com — Sam Bowie | Center | New Jersey Nets
SEC Sports — SEC Storied: Going Big
Sports Illustrated — Sam Bowie denies lying to Trail Blazers during 1984 pre-draft physical