Bryce McGowens

McGowens was born Nov. 8, 2002, in Pendleton, South Carolina. McGowens played basketball for Wren High School in Piedmont, South Carolina. He blossomed as a sophomore, where he averaged 26.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and three assists per game and was named Region 1-4A Player of the Year. He led his team to a Class 4A Upper State runner-up finish. In his junior season, McGowens scored a school-record 65 points in a second-round win in the Class 4A playoffs. He averaged 25.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game as a junior, leading his team to the Class 4A Upper State championship game and repeating as Region 1-4A Player of the Year. For his senior season, McGowens moved to Legacy Early College in Greenville, South Carolina. As a senior, he averaged 21.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, earning South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year honors. He was selected to the Jordan Brand Classic roster. McGowens was considered a five-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals, and a four-star recruit by ESPN. On Feb. 10, 2020, he announced his commitment to play college basketball for Florida State. On Oct. 8, 2020, McGowens decommitted from the program. On Nov. 13, 2020, he committed to Nebraska, becoming the highest-ranked recruit in program history and its first five-star recruit. He played a key role for the Cornhuskers, averaging 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. McGowens was named to the Third Team All-Big Ten as well as the All-Freshman Team. On March 21, 2022, McGowens declared for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility. The Charlotte Hornets selected him in the second round with the 40th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.