BRUCE BOWEN
Men's Basketball / Inducted Oct. 1, 2011
Bowen was a four-year letterman for the Titans in 1989-93 with relatively modest credentials given his professional stardom — 3-year starter, second-team All-Big West in 1991-92 and first-team all-conference in 1992-93. He still ranks in the school’s top ten in career rebounds and blocked shots. He went undrafted but bounced around Europe and the CBA for several years before a 1-game stint with the Miami Heat in 1996-97. He gradually developed a reputation as a defensive stopper and caught the attention of Coach Pat Riley.
After three seasons with Boston, Philadelphia and Miami (again) he landed in San Antonio, where a star was born. He won three NBA Championship rings (2003, 2005 and 2007) in eight seasons (2001-02 thru 2008-09) with the Spurs. He made the NBA first or second All-Defensive team eight times and three times was runnerup for defender of the year. He became an excellent 3-point shooter and scored 5,290 points in his career. He had a streak of playing in 500 consecutive games, longest by an active player at that time. He still is very popular in the San Antonio community in part because of his “Get Fit with Bruce and Buddy” program aimed at child obesity. In the last few years he has launched a second career as a bow-tied commentator for ESPN.